Mr Odinga chronicled how his father, Jaramogi Oginga, was edged out of Kenya’s then-top party, the Kenya African National Union (KANU), over ideological differences and deliberate political maneuvering by President Jomo Kenyatta’s loyalists.
This came despite his role as a key political architect who helped bring Jomo Kenyatta to power and as Kenya’s first Vice President.
To neutralize Jaramogi’s rising influence, KANU leaders systematically sidelined him from executive decision-making.
Despite him moving on to form his Kenya People’s Union (KPU), he lost the political influence he harboured since he was no longer on the front lines of shaping Kenya’s future, which at the time was in the early stages of recovering from treacherous colonial rule.
In the same way that history repeats itself, so has Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna found himself at a precipice in forging the next move with the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Over the past few months, Sifuna has gained an authentic following, mostly among the Kenyan youth, over his fresh and optimistic ideology and vision for a better Kenya under new leadership.
He has passionately elucidated his belief in streamlining respect for the rule of law, human rights, and social justice, which he terms the perfect “software” of a nation.
However, his formidable force within the Linda Mwananchi is seemingly losing its grip as his close allies, Siaya Governor James Orengo and other top political leaders, have shown signs of jumping ship.
On September 21, Governor Orengo showed solidarity with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka at the unveiling of The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA) as it rebranded from Azimio la Umoja coalition.
“There have been wide consultations within the opposition, and the target and destination are now set. All that remains is to hit the target. I am delighted that we are coming together because we have one common goal: the change that Kenyans desire,” Orengo said.
Orengo has also expressed interest in running for presidency in the 2027 General Election while the movement endorses Sifuna’s presidency.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, a Linda Mwananchi member, admitted that some politicians have varying political ambitions, sparking friction in forging a unified political mission as they strategise on their path to the 2027 General Election.
The legislator said that the faction is seeking to create cohesiveness and will tame the young prominent leaders among them Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
“We will try and work on Babu, his relationship with Sifuna. They do not have a fight as per say its the people making noise. We are working on their relationship. We believe that once we sit with Kalonzo and the team things will be well,” Onyoka stated.
He, however, intimated that there is a tiff between Saboti MP Caleb Amisi and Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya over dominance in the Western region, adding that MP Amisi has forged his own party to seek influence, a move he foresees will spark fragmentation.
Does the shoe fit?
Sifuna, despite remaining tight-lipped as he prepares to officially launch his party, is staring at the nail-biting task of making the appropriate strategic move.
Political commentator Javas Bigambo says that his meteoric rise to political prominence could have potentially ruffled him, and he is being forced to play his cards right too soon.
“This could be an accidental part he is finding himself in and presents the evident reality of unpreparedness,” he told Citizen Digital.
Bigambo believes that his prominence cannot be disputed since he holds significant influence in the Western bloc and among the youth, but needs to fortify his game plan before the old political guard reshapes its strategy.
“He realizes that his surprise rise has scuttled the prominence of some political bigwigs,’ he added.
“It is possible he has admirers but he is not working hard to be a universal candidate.”
It is against this backdrop, Bigambo reckons, that Sifuna’s political ship might ferry stowaways who will later puncture its keel.
“What are the risks of infiltration from those not related to him in the opposition or the government?” he posed.
Sifuna’s candidature has been scoffed at by Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, who suggests that 44-year-old Sifuna is too young to run for president and should wait his turn.
“Sifuna, one-term Senator you want to become a president? Not in Africa. We must detain you, we must make you go through stages. You must suffer looking for leadership. You must know how the economy is crafted. You must be able to understand the problems Kenyans are having. You must pay school fees for your children. You must raise money for other people. You must build churches, you must do what we have done. For now, no. Capital N-O!” Atwoli told Citizen TV on September 20.
However, opposition heavyweight and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has admitted Sifuna is one of the serious contenders in the 2027 presidential race.
Gachagua has assured that he will back Sifuna’s presidency if the opposition selects him to be on its presidential ticket.
“If we do our arithmetic and we find Sifuna, so be it. Even I, Riggy G, I can deputise Sifuna. Sifuna can deputise me. Sifuna can deputise Kalonzo. Kalonzo can deputise Sifuna. I can tell you, we will come up with one, and you will love it. I see a solution where we can blend youthful energy with experience for our country,” Gachagua said during his USA tour on September 6.
The Political Registrar’s debacle
The confusion has arrived at the Registrar of Political Parties’ door over the formation of a party Sifuna will use in the 2027 polls after his proposal to rebrand the United Democratic Party to Ukombozi Party of Kenya was rejected.
“Reference is made to your letter dated 10th August, 2026, objecting to the public notice allegedly issued by the United Democratic Party (UDP) regarding its proposed change of name to Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP),” the ORPP letter reads in part.
Sifuna, alongside Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, suffered the blow since the phrase “Ukombozi” had already been taken up by TUA.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has gazetted election guidelines requiring participating parties to submit their nomination rules certified by the RPP by October 30, 2026.
Likewise, parties intending to participate in the General Election are to submit the names of their authorised persons by October 15, 2026.
Governor Orengo says that the opposition will create a united opposition, but there is a risk of top political persons being edged out.
Linda Mwananchi member Pauline Njoroge says: “As the opposition builds a broad and inclusive coalition around the WANTAM movement, it must design a framework that encourages more political parties to join without creating a structure so heavy that it complicates decision-making and weakens political agility.”
Gachagua has hinted that discussions on the opposition’s presidential candidate could take shape by April 2027, insisting that the focus should now be on political mobilisation.
