Sifuna warns Linda Mwananchi leaders at Kwale rally

NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 31 – Linda Mwananchi party leader Edwin Sifuna has warned politicians seeking leadership positions in Kwale, demanding discipline and respect for local leaders as he kicked off his party’s first major grassroots tour of the Coast region.

Speaking during a public meeting in Kwale Sifuna cautioned politicians against fighting for positions at public gatherings while ignoring the leaders and communities they are supposed to represent.

The Nairobi Senator said the party must give local leaders priority during its mobilisation activities, insisting that grassroots representatives understand the challenges facing their communities better than leaders visiting from Nairobi.

“Without discipline, we are not going anywhere,” Sifuna told supporters, warning that political ambitions should not come at the expense of respect for fellow leaders.

He specifically criticised politicians who attend meetings in areas where they are not seeking elective positions but attempt to occupy prominent seats ahead of local aspirants and representatives.

“You are not a candidate for a seat here in Kwale. We have called this meeting with the Coast and Kwale aspirants, then you come and take the front seat. These are the things that make me angry,” he said.

Sifuna challenged politicians to imagine how they would feel if leaders from another region took priority at a meeting organised in their own constituencies.

“Today is Kwale’s day. We want local leaders to have an opportunity to explain their issues and concerns,” he added.

The Linda Mwananchi leader also told his team from Nairobi to allow Kwale politicians to determine the route and programme of the party’s grassroots tour.

He said local leaders had been tasked with identifying the areas the delegation would visit and the issues that needed to be addressed in each location.

“I am the Senator for Nairobi. I cannot pretend to know Kwale better than the people of Kwale. You know Kwale better than I do,” he said.

Sifuna instructed party officials accompanying him to give local aspirants and elected leaders the first opportunity to address residents during meetings in their respective areas.

He said the party’s national leadership wanted to listen to grassroots representatives rather than impose its own priorities on communities.

The Nairobi Senator cited challenges such as mineral exploitation and water shortages as some of the issues the party wanted local leaders to highlight during the tour.

“We want to hear from you. Tell us, here in this area, this is the problem of minerals, here is the problem of water. We want to hear from you before we put emphasis on these issues,” he said.

He further challenged local politicians to present the concerns of residents instead of using political gatherings to advance their personal interests.

“Do not represent yourselves and your own demands. Represent the issues affecting the people on the ground,” Sifuna told the leaders.

The Kwale visit marks the beginning of Linda Mwananchi’s regional mobilisation campaign following the rebranding of the party and unveiling of its secretariat on Friday.

Sifuna said he had previously promised Coast leaders that Kwale would host the movement’s first public meeting after the party’s launch.

He thanked residents for turning up in large numbers, saying the turnout demonstrated their willingness to support the new political outfit.

“After we launched our party, where would our first public meeting be? Kwale, right? I made that promise, didn’t I? I want to thank you for turning up in large numbers to stand with our Linda Mwananchi party,” he said.

He also reminded supporters that a political party could not survive without grassroots support and committed local leaders.

“A party is its people. There is no party without people,” he said.

The tour is part of Sifuna’s efforts to expand Linda Mwananchi’s presence beyond Nairobi as political positioning intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election.

His growing political profile has also fuelled speculation about a possible presidential bid, although opposition leaders have yet to agree on a single candidate to challenge President William Ruto.