Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has said he would be willing to seek the presidency in the 2027 General Election if that decision is made collectively by the people, saying leadership should be driven by public confidence rather than personal ambition.
During an interview, the senator said calls for him to consider a presidential bid have largely come from young Kenyans who believe he is ready for a greater national role.
He recalled meeting supporters in Taita Taveta shortly after losing his positions as ODM Secretary General and Senate Deputy Minority Whip, where they encouraged him to remain focused despite the political setbacks.
“We go into this meeting in Taita Taveta, and these young people on the back of all this information about everything that has been taken away tell me; ‘You need not worry. All these positions, some of them were given by Raila, but most of them were given by the public, and we are saying there is something better we feel would suit you.’ I’m sure it would roll off your tongue if you just say ‘H.E.’ Si mbaya,” Sifuna said.
He maintained that accepting such a responsibility would depend on the wishes of the public and the preparedness of those supporting him to mount a credible campaign.
“If the decision is made, we have a lot of work to do in order to have a viable candidature and campaign, but I’m not one to run away from responsibility. We have to answer the call of our country and generation and if the people feel that this is the best way for us to proceed, we will not say No, ” he said.
Sifuna explained that any move towards a presidential contest would first require consensus within the Linda Mwananchi movement, noting that the group makes decisions collectively.
“Because I’m part of the Linda Mwananchi team, the decisions made in Linda Mwananchi are very collegiate and I wouldn’t just be able to do it if I was alone,” he said.
He credited young people and online supporters for his political growth, saying their contribution has been instrumental throughout his journey.
“I’ve gotten to this position because of the support from young people, those online, Bunge la Mwananchi, TikTokers. That is a decision we need to make together with the people,” he added.
The Nairobi senator also urged supporters not to focus the movement around his personality, insisting its mission extends beyond any one individual.
“I’ve tried to plead with people not to make this thing just about Sifuna; it could be any one of us,” he said.
Looking ahead to the next General Election, Sifuna disclosed that the Linda Mwananchi movement is preparing candidates for various elective positions across the country and is working on building structures to support their campaigns.
“All the positions that are available for elections in 2027, we have a host of candidates. Our responsibility is to get structured and organised so that everyone can know how to plug in because, as it is right now, Linda Mwananchi is still a movement of the people,” he stated.
He also spoke about his relationship with ODM, claiming that he and other leaders who share similar views have increasingly been pushed aside by the party leadership.
Sifuna said new changes in the Senate had seen him reassigned from the County Public Accounts Committee to the Fisheries Committee, while Senator Godfrey Osotsi was also removed from another committee.
“It is clear that those in the ODM leadership are done with us. Even as we speak, there’s a motion brought to the Senate today to effect further changes, to remove Senator (Godfrey) Osotsi from the County Public Investments Committee and remove me from the County Public Accounts Committee to Fisheries, which they think is a punishment, but I need to learn about agriculture and the blue economy,” he stated.
He further revealed that he and his allies were removed from the ODM WhatsApp group after a recent political rally in Kitale, describing it as another sign of the widening rift.
Even so, he insisted the Linda Mwananchi movement would continue organising across the country as it seeks to build enough public support ahead of the 2027 elections.
