United Opposition spokesperson Mukhisa Kituyi has acknowledged the surging influence of the Linda Mwananchi faction within the ODM party, admitting that the movement has become a force that cannot be ignored.
During an interview with NTV, Kituyi pointed to the group’s rising popularity under the leadership of Edwin Sifuna, noting that their momentum has transformed them into a pivotal player in the country’s shifting political landscape.
“It is impossible to discuss a united opposition without factoring in Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi; one cannot wish them away,” Kituyi said.
Kituyi observed that opposition unity in Kenya historically gains its final shape only as elections approach, suggesting that the current divisions within the ranks are a standard part of the political cycle. He noted that past alliances have often waited until the final hour to consolidate their power.
“Opposition in Kenyan history unites up to the day of the election. The most successful opposition unity, which came to power in 2002, was really formed some two or three months to the election,” he said.
Kituyi explained that the United Opposition lacks a rigid deadline for achieving total unity, pointing to the complex political variables currently at play. He suggested that the path to a solidified front remains fluid as the landscape shifts.
“There is no clear timeline for the United Opposition to be completely united. There are so many other dynamics out there,” he said.
The former Cabinet minister admitted that the political environment looked very different when the initial efforts to build a united front began. At that time, the Linda Mwananchi faction had not yet established itself as a major power, but its rapid rise has since forced a recalculation of the opposition’s strategy.
“When we started forming the United Opposition, we did not envisage Edwin Sifuna and his Linda Mwananchi as a force. You cannot wish them away today,” he said.
Kituyi also touched on the internal friction within ODM, specifically the debate between members pushing for a one-term presidency and those potentially open to a second term for President William Ruto. He argued that these internal rifts will ultimately dictate how future alliances take shape.
“You cannot talk about the United Opposition without thinking, is the battle inside ODM between those saying one term and those saying two term going the way of those who think like us or those who think like President William Ruto?” he posed.
Rather than focusing on mere accommodation, Kituyi pointed to the need for a more deliberate, strategic partnership with the faction. He argued that the real challenge lies in how the broader coalition interacts with the group, rather than simply making room for them.
“At the end of it, we look at how do we engage. It is not about accommodating them, but how do we engage with them?” he said.
He further credited the Linda Mwananchi movement with injecting new energy into the electorate. By successfully engaging younger voters and mobilizing Gen Z citizens to register for the upcoming elections, Kituyi noted that the faction has earned a legitimate and powerful mandate.
