Linda Mwananchi’s gubernatorial sweep: The growing list of big names lining up behind Sifuna ahead of 2027
Kenya’s political landscape is beginning to shift dramatically ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the Linda Mwananchi movement emerging as an increasingly attractive platform for politicians seeking gubernatorial seats across the country.
Led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and featuring a growing network of governors, senators and MPs, the movement has evolved from an internal dissenting voice within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) into a broader political vehicle with ambitions that extend well beyond the party.
The movement has been particularly critical of ODM’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration and has been positioning itself as an alternative political force ahead of the 2027 elections.
The growing list of gubernatorial hopefuls associated with Linda Mwananchi has fuelled speculation that the movement could become a major force in determining who controls several counties after the next election.
Its eventual political vehicle, however, has yet to be formally unveiled.
Godfrey Osotsi – Vihiga
Among the prominent gubernatorial hopefuls associated with the movement is Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who has declared his intention to contest the Vihiga governorship.
Osotsi has repeatedly aligned himself with Sifuna and has urged supporters to remain patient as Linda Mwananchi finalises its political strategy.
During a radio engagement in April, Osotsi said the movement was finalising its plans and maintained that he remained committed to working with Sifuna.
He has also outlined priorities including healthcare, urban planning, markets, water infrastructure and education should he become governor.
His growing association with Linda Mwananchi places him at the centre of the emerging battle for the Vihiga governorship.
Tim Wanyonyi and the Bungoma battle
Bungoma is emerging as one of the most closely watched gubernatorial battlegrounds.
Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi has shifted his political focus towards Bungoma, where he is seeking the governorship.
Sifuna has confirmed that he has held meetings with Wanyonyi and other Bungoma politicians.
“I have had meetings with Tim Wanyonyi. I have met Zachariah Barasa and all those people, including senate aspirants from Bungoma – very many aspirants,” Sifuna said.
He then delivered a striking prediction:
“Whoever will be elected as Bungoma governor in 2027 will be from Linda Mwananchi.”
However, the extent of Wanyonyi’s formal association with the movement remains politically sensitive, with conflicting reports over whether he has officially joined Linda Mwananchi.
Former Bungoma Governor Wafula Wangamati, meanwhile, has publicly announced his alignment with the movement and said he would support Sifuna’s political mobilisation in Bungoma and Western Kenya.
The developments could set up a fierce contest involving several high-profile figures seeking to reclaim or capture the Bungoma governorship.
Babu Owino – Nairobi
In Nairobi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has emerged as one of the movement’s most vocal figures.
Owino has already declared his intention to challenge Governor Johnson Sakaja for the Nairobi governorship in 2027.
He has also indicated that he expects to contest the seat using the political vehicle associated with Linda Mwananchi rather than ODM.
In May, Owino said he was focused on Nairobi in 2027 before setting his sights on the presidency in 2032.
“As of today, I am so focused on the people of Nairobi,” he said.
The Nairobi contest could become one of the movement’s biggest tests, with Owino attempting to unseat incumbent Governor Sakaja.
Pauline Njoroge steps aside for Babu
The Nairobi race has also produced a significant political realignment.
Former Jubilee organising official Pauline Njoroge, who had previously expressed interest in the Nairobi governorship, has withdrawn from the race and thrown her support behind Owino.
“My interests were in the city hall, but I have stepped down for my friend Babu Owino. If he appoints me his deputy, I will accept,” Njoroge said.
The move has immediately triggered speculation over whether the two could eventually emerge as a gubernatorial-deputy ticket.
Richard Onyonka – Kisii
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka is another senior politician associated with the movement and is positioning himself for the Kisii gubernatorial race.
Onyonka has become one of the prominent faces of Linda Mwananchi alongside Sifuna, Osotsi and other senior leaders.
His candidature could set up a major political confrontation in Kisii, particularly as the movement seeks to establish itself as a serious force in the county.
Sifuna has publicly expressed support for Onyonka, adding further weight to the senator’s gubernatorial ambitions.
Boni Khalwale – Kakamega
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale is also positioning himself for the Kakamega governorship.
Khalwale has maintained a high-profile political presence in Western Kenya and is openly campaigning for the county’s top seat in 2027.
His alignment with the broader Linda Mwananchi political project could add significant political weight to the movement in Kakamega, although the senator has previously operated through his own United Patriotic Movement (UPM) political platform.
Khalwale’s gubernatorial ambitions are already publicly established, with his political campaign positioning him as a candidate for the 2027 Kakamega race.
Danson Mwashako – Taita Taveta
The movement has also begun making inroads at the Coast.
Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako has emerged as Linda Mwananchi’s preferred candidate for the Taita Taveta governorship.
During a rally in Taita Taveta, Sifuna and other movement leaders rallied residents behind Mwashako as he seeks to challenge incumbent Governor Andrew Mwadime.
Babu Owino also endorsed Mwashako during the rally, telling residents to support him if they wanted change in the county.
The endorsement represents one of the clearest examples yet of Linda Mwananchi attempting to influence a gubernatorial contest outside Western Kenya.
Patrick Makau – Machakos
Mavoko MP Patrick Makau is another politician associated with the movement who is seeking a gubernatorial ticket in 2027.
Makau is positioning himself for the Machakos governorship, while his association with the wider Sifuna-led political project places him among a growing group of politicians looking towards Linda Mwananchi for their next electoral vehicle.
His candidature could become particularly significant if the movement succeeds in expanding its influence across Ukambani.
George Natembeya – Trans Nzoia
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has become one of the movement’s most influential regional figures.
Natembeya recently left DAP-K amid disagreements over the party’s direction and has since strengthened his association with Sifuna and Linda Mwananchi.
In July, Natembeya hosted Sifuna and other Linda Mwananchi leaders at his residence in Kitale for a major political strategy meeting.
The meeting resulted in Sifuna being endorsed as the movement’s presidential candidate, while Natembeya was given a prominent role in coordinating mobilisation in Western Kenya.
Natembeya is expected to defend his Trans Nzoia seat in 2027 using the political vehicle eventually unveiled by the movement.
James Orengo – Siaya
Siaya Governor James Orengo remains another influential figure within Linda Mwananchi.
However, his own 2027 ambitions remain less clear.
Orengo has previously been viewed as a potential presidential contender, while he could also seek another term as Siaya governor.
His eventual decision could have significant implications for the movement, given his seniority and influence within opposition politics.
Irungu Kang’ata’s changing political path
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata was previously associated with Linda Mwananchi but has since moved towards the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
His political journey illustrates the fluidity of Kenya’s opposition realignments ahead of 2027, where politicians are increasingly weighing competing parties and movements before deciding which political vehicle offers the strongest chance of victory.
Sifuna’s bigger gamble
The growing number of gubernatorial hopefuls surrounding Linda Mwananchi represents a much bigger political gamble for Sifuna.
The movement is no longer simply about opposition within ODM.
It is increasingly becoming an electoral network capable of producing candidates for county governments while simultaneously building a national presidential campaign.
In July, leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi endorsed Sifuna as their presidential candidate for the 2027 election, while announcing plans to unveil the political party that will carry the movement into the polls.
That development could transform Linda Mwananchi from a political pressure group into a fully fledged electoral machine.
The 2027 test
The central question now is whether Linda Mwananchi can turn political endorsements and high-profile rallies into actual electoral victories.
With gubernatorial hopefuls emerging in Vihiga, Bungoma, Nairobi, Kisii, Kakamega, Machakos, Taita Taveta and Trans Nzoia, the movement is positioning itself across multiple counties.
The unveiling of its political party will therefore be closely watched.
For Sifuna, the challenge will be to keep the growing list of ambitious politicians united while convincing voters that Linda Mwananchi represents more than another pre-election political alliance.
For the politicians seeking gubernatorial seats, meanwhile, the movement could provide the political vehicle they need to challenge established incumbents.
And with the 2027 General Election rapidly approaching, the battle for Kenya’s county governments may prove to be one of Linda Mwananchi’s most important tests.
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