Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has ridiculed President William Ruto over his failure to provide direct evidence for claims that former president Uhuru Kenyatta is financing the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sifuna on Sunday turned the spotlight on Ruto’s repeated claims that Uhuru is sponsoring opposition politicians, challenging the President to produce evidence beyond newspaper reports.
The senator, who has emerged as a prominent figure in the Linda Mwananchi movement, seized on an interview in which Ruto was asked to substantiate allegations that his predecessor was funding politicians opposed to his administration.
In a post on social media, Sifuna mocked the President’s response.
“Yule jamaa amebeba akili yote ya Kenya aliulizwa swali mboga sana, atoe evidence Uhuru ndio sponsor ya upinzani akasema hata yeye alisoma kwa gazeti…na anadai sisi ndio mafala,” Sifuna said.
His remarks came against the backdrop of an increasingly heated political contest ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Ruto and his allies portraying Uhuru as a force behind emerging opposition formations.
Ruto has repeatedly accused his predecessor of financing politicians and movements seeking to challenge his administration. The President has particularly linked Uhuru to opposition figures including Sifuna and Jubilee presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i.
When pressed to provide evidence for the claims during an interview, Ruto pointed to a previous newspaper headline reporting that Uhuru had convened a “super alliance” against him.
“You work for the Nation, right? Can you check the Sunday Nation headline of August 2? What was the headline? It says, ‘Uhuru super coalition against Ruto.’ You answered yourselves,” Ruto said.
The response has provided fresh ammunition for Sifuna, who has been using the allegations to portray the administration as struggling to account for its accusations against opposition figures.
Uhuru responds
The debate gained another twist on Sunday when Uhuru himself appeared to respond to the sponsor allegations.
Speaking at the memorial service for former vice-president Michael Kijana Wamalwa in Kitale, Uhuru said Kenyans should be free to choose their preferred leaders in the 2027 elections.
He named several politicians, including Ruto, Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i and Sifuna, as possible choices for voters.
“Wakenya wako na haki ya kujichagulia viongozi wanaopenda. Na mimi niko hapa kusimamia hiyo haki,” Uhuru said.
He added: “Wakisema wanataka Kalonzo, ni Kalonzo, wakisema wanataka Ruto ni Ruto, wakisema wanataka Matiang’i ni Matiang’i, na wakitaka Sifuna, ni Sifuna.”
The mention of Sifuna prompted loud cheers from the crowd.
Uhuru then appeared to make light of the allegations linking him to the senator and the Linda Mwananchi movement.
“Jameni chungeni, sitaki kuitwa sponsor,” Uhuru said, drawing laughter from those attending the memorial service.
The former president's remarks came days after Ruto intensified his attacks on him, accusing him of supporting politicians seeking to undermine his re-election bid.
Battle over 2027 opposition
The exchange highlights the growing political significance of Sifuna as the 2027 contest takes shape.
The Nairobi senator has become one of the most vocal critics of the Ruto administration and a leading face of Linda Mwananchi, a movement positioning itself against government policies and the President's style of leadership.
Ruto's allies have sought to portray the movement as part of a broader opposition project allegedly being funded and coordinated by Uhuru.
Sifuna, however, has rejected the narrative and instead challenged the administration to explain why it sees former political leaders behind grassroots opposition to its policies.
The dispute also places Uhuru at the centre of the emerging 2027 political realignment despite his repeated public insistence that voters, rather than political elites, should determine the country's next leadership.
