Babu said he and Sifuna had endured difficult political moments together and that he would not abandon his ally as the movement prepares for the 2027 General Election.
“Sifuna ni ndugu yangu, na sitamwacha nyuma kwa sababu mimi ndiye tulianza na yeye,” Babu said.
The Embakasi East MP spoke in Central Nyakach, Kisumu County, during the funeral of Jeremiah Kisero, where he joined mourners in paying tribute to the deceased.
Babu said his political relationship with Sifuna began when the two faced challenges within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), adding that they had remained together throughout their political journey.
“Tulianza naye wakati tulikuwa na shida kwa chama, akiwa amekuwa expelled from ODM. Tukasonga naye from expulsion na sai anaelekea kuwa rais wa Kenya,” he said.
Babu backs Sifuna for presidency
Babu said he would continue campaigning for Sifuna and support his presidential bid under the Linda Mwananchi movement.
“Tutakuwa na solidarity. Sasa tutasukuma yeye pale mbele akiwa candidate wetu,” he said.
His remarks come amid an emerging disagreement among Linda Mwananchi leaders over the political party that should serve as the movement’s vehicle in the 2027 election.
Babu has advocated for a coalition arrangement that would allow Sifuna and other leaders to retain their respective political parties while working together under the Linda Mwananchi umbrella.
He said Sifuna leads the Ukombozi Party while he leads the Mwananchi Party, arguing that the two political outfits could cooperate instead of one being compelled to take control of the movement.
“Akifika huko mbele tutaform coalition ya Linda Mwananchi,” Babu said.
Linda Mwananchi party dispute
The disagreement over the movement’s political vehicle has emerged as one of the key issues facing Linda Mwananchi, with Babu backing his party while Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has pushed for Ukombozi People’s Party as the vehicle for Sifuna’s presidential campaign.
Babu, however, sought to separate the disagreement over party structures from his relationship with Sifuna, maintaining that the two leaders can retain their political identities while supporting a common presidential candidate.
“We'll start the coalition with Linda Mwananchi because ultimately we must have a big coalition with those in the alternative government,” he said.
Babu said the proposed coalition would seek to build support across the country, drawing inspiration from the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s strategy of bringing different political formations together into broad alliances.
The comments underline Babu’s continued commitment to Sifuna’s presidential ambitions even as Linda Mwananchi leaders negotiate the political structure they will use to contest the 2027 General Election.
