Some elders from Vihiga County have announced their exit from ODM and declared support for the Linda Mwananchi movement and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Led by Vihiga Elders Council chairman and former Bahati MP Fred Omido, the elders said Sifuna is best placed to unite Western Kenya and restore the region’s political influence at the national level.
“We have resolved to stand with our son Sifuna because he has demonstrated courage, consistency and the willingness to speak for ordinary Kenyans. Western Kenya needs a fearless leader, and we believe Sifuna is that leader,” Omido said.
The endorsement comes as Sifuna steps up efforts to consolidate support in Western Kenya.
He has been holding rallies in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties in what political observers see as an attempt to challenge the influence of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula in the region.
During a rally in Bungoma over the weekend, Sifuna was also endorsed as the Luhya spokesman by some elders led by former Cabinet minister Musikari Kombo.
Reading a statement on behalf of the Vihiga elders, Dr Job Osiako said their decision to leave ODM was informed by what they described as the party’s departure from its founding ideals following internal wrangles that culminated in Sifuna’s removal as Secretary General.
“We have left ODM because it no longer represents the aspirations of many people in this region. Linda Mwananchi offers hope, accountability and a fresh political direction,” Osiako said.
The elders argued that Sifuna’s removal from the influential ODM position had instead boosted his popularity across the region, with many supporters viewing the move as unfair.
Sifuna has challenged his removal in court, arguing that the process was unconstitutional and violated the party’s constitution.
While addressing supporters in Bungoma and Kitale on Saturday, the senator said ODM should allow members opposed to the broad-based government arrangement to join other political parties.
Linda Mwananchi is positioning itself as an alternative opposition platform following divisions within ODM and has attracted leaders from Western Kenya and other parts of the country.
Tiriki elder Oscar Bulemi said ODM was “politically dead” in Western Kenya and urged residents to rally behind Sifuna’s movement.
“The future of this region is in Linda Mwananchi. We shall mobilise our people to support Sifuna through votes and financial contributions because this movement belongs to the people,” Bulemi said.
Patrick Ongaya said Western Kenya has waited for decades to produce a president and should unite behind leaders capable of mounting a credible bid for the country’s highest office.
“The region is ripe to produce a president. That journey starts by uniting behind leaders who have demonstrated courage and commitment to the people. We cannot continue playing second fiddle in national politics,” Ongaya said.
Political observers say Sifuna’s Western Kenya tour is a key test of his ability to build a political base capable of challenging the dominance of Mudavadi and Wetang’ula while strengthening his standing within the emerging opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
His growing political profile has complicated the region’s political landscape.
While Mudavadi and Wetang’ula have aligned themselves with President William Ruto’s re-election bid and are positioning themselves for the post-2032 political transition, Sifuna and his allies are campaigning for the Luhya community to field a presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
