Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. Photo/Edwin Sifuna/X
By Newsflash Reporter
Kenya may be witnessing the birth of another political wave.
As Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s popularity surges ahead of the 2027 General Election, analysts are urging voters not to repeat the mistake of choosing leaders on political euphoria rather than merit.
Since the death of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga on October 15, 2025, Sifuna has steadily emerged as the perceived political heir to Raila’s support base.
The Nairobi Senator has consolidated his position after leading the formation of the Linda Mwananchi faction, a group of ODM leaders opposed to President William Ruto’s Broad-Based Government.
The developments have exposed deep divisions within ODM, with rival factions now charting different political paths ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The pro-Ruto faction has christened itself Linda Ground. It is led by ODM leader Oburu Oginga and comprises National Assembly Minority Leader and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, among other senior party figures who have embraced the Broad-Based Government.
On the other hand, the Linda Mwananchi faction – widely viewed as the rebel wing of ODM – brings together Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi and several youthful legislators opposed to the government’s political arrangement with ODM.
Reports that Sifuna and his allies are planning to register Linda Mwananchi as a political party have further heightened political speculation, with observers predicting that the movement could become a formidable force in the 2027 elections.
Warning against political euphoria
While many Kenyans, particularly young voters, have embraced Sifuna’s outspoken criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration, political analyst Prof Peter Kagwanja argues that the country should guard against replacing one wave of political excitement with another.
According to Kagwanja, Kenya risks repeating mistakes made in previous elections if voters allow emotions and personality cults to determine leadership choices.
“We should shun Sifunaism like Ebola. Although legitimately born of the protest politics against RUTO’s million iniquities, it has the ugly birth mark of the perilous politics of mob psychology and euphoria that swept the now blood-stained Hustler Nation into office. We must remain A THINKING NATION, not Sifunized zombies!” says Prof Peter Kagwanja.
Read more: Edwin Sifuna removed as ODM Secretary-General
Speaking to Newsflash, Kagwanja said Kenyans must prioritise competence, integrity and leadership ability instead of being carried away by political excitement.
“Kenyans have in the past made mistakes of electing leaders based on the current euphoria, and result to electing semi-illiterate politicians who are a burden even in expressing themselves,” said Kagwanja.
His remarks draw comparisons with the powerful Hustler movement that swept President Ruto into office in 2022, a campaign that generated massive public enthusiasm and reshaped Kenya’s political landscape.
Not every political wave birth bad leaders
However, Kagwanja’s assessment has been dismissed by political analyst Mwangi Wahome, who insists that not every political wave produces poor leadership.
According to Wahome, Kenya’s history offers examples where public enthusiasm has delivered transformational governments.
“Were it not for the NARC wave in 2002, Kenyans would not have had a chance to have a Kibaki presidency. Kibaki is greatly remembered for transforming Kenya’s economy,” said Wahome.
Wahome argues that the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) wave that brought former President Mwai Kibaki to power demonstrated that political momentum can sometimes produce visionary leadership capable of transforming a country.
Meanwhile, Sifuna has already declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2027 and has sought to distinguish himself by promising leadership anchored on constitutionalism, democracy and respect for human rights.
Read more: Ruto to Sifuna: Tread carefully when criticizing me
Among his key campaign messages is his view that leadership should first protect the lives and freedoms of citizens.
“Please Kenyans don’t ask me how many kilometres of roads I will build. Can I just guarantee you that I will not kill your children?”
He has also argued that infrastructure development should never come at the expense of democratic governance.
“We are not going to be attracted to these shiny things… We know people who believe in democracy can also build stadiums and roads, but we don’t want a dictator in power.”
Sifuna has further maintained that constitutional freedoms outweigh physical development where governance is concerned.
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