Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is facing a legal challenge over funds raised through the Linda Mwananchi political movement, with a petitioner seeking clarity on how money contributed by members of the public is being held and spent.
The petition has been filed at the High Court in Nairobi by Alan Masakhalia, a Kenyan voter who claims he contributed money after following Sifuna’s political activities and public mobilisation associated with the movement.
Masakhalia says he sent Sh55 through Paybill number 3033049 after understanding that the fundraising was connected to Sifuna’s potential presidential bid ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In his verifying affidavit, the petitioner says his contribution was made in response to a public fundraising appeal and was not intended as a personal gift to the senator.
Petitioner seeks accountability
Masakhalia argues that contributors should be informed about the total amount raised, where the funds are being held and how the money has been spent.
He claims the Linda Mwananchi initiative was presented as a citizens-driven political project seeking to provide an alternative political direction, while political activities surrounding it were associated with Sifuna’s potential presidential ambitions.
The petitioner further claims that the fundraising attracted contributions from Kenyans in different parts of the country, including rural markets where buckets bearing Sifuna’s image were reportedly used to collect money.
He cites publicly reported figures showing that about 9,419 people contributed approximately Sh519,144 on the first day of the fundraising campaign, with the amount allegedly increasing to about Sh2.21 million within approximately 36 hours.
Concerns over possible change of political direction
The petition centres on what should happen to the funds if Sifuna ultimately decides not to pursue the presidential project or changes the political direction associated with Linda Mwananchi.
Masakhalia says Sifuna has indicated that he would not stand in the way of efforts to unite the opposition and could support another candidate in the 2027 presidential race.
Among the possible candidates the petitioner references are former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Masakhalia argues that this creates uncertainty over the future of money contributed by citizens who believed they were supporting a specific political project.
He says there is a risk that the funds could be transferred, redirected or used for another political purpose if Sifuna abandons or materially changes his presidential plans.
Petitioner not seeking to force Sifuna into race
Masakhalia, however, makes clear that he is not asking the court to compel Sifuna to run for president.
He acknowledges the senator’s constitutional right to determine his political future and support whichever candidate or political formation he chooses.
His argument is instead that political freedom should not prevent accountability for money voluntarily contributed by citizens based on representations made about the purpose of the fundraising.
The petitioner wants the court to determine whether contributors acquired constitutional or statutory interests in the proper management, accounting and disclosure of the funds.
Records and financial disclosure sought
Masakhalia is seeking orders requiring Sifuna and Linda Mwananchi to disclose the total amount collected through the fundraising exercise, the accounts or financial instruments holding the money and details of how it has been spent.
He also wants the respondents to provide information on the recipients of the funds and the purposes for which the money was used.
In addition, the petitioner is seeking orders preventing the transfer, diversion, concealment or dissipation of the funds for purposes inconsistent with the representations made during the fundraising campaign.
He further wants financial, M-Pesa, Paybill, accounting, expenditure and communication records linked to the fundraising preserved while the case is being determined.
The case places the financing and management of the Linda Mwananchi movement under judicial scrutiny as Sifuna continues to feature prominently in political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.
