Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement as a “passing cloud”, questioning its political agenda and ability to sustain its recent momentum.
Speaking at an interdenominational church service in Kabarnet, Baringo County, on Sunday, Murkomen said he pitied supporters of the movement, claiming some had been led to believe it could produce the next President.
“Mimi nahurumia hawa watu wa Linda Mwananchi na huyo sponsor wao. Linda Mwananchi unfortunately was a passing cloud and it has passed faster,” Murkomen said.
He also took a direct swipe at Sifuna, using the metaphor of a fire that had gone out to describe the senator’s political momentum.
“Tulijua Edwin Sifuna ni moto ya masakari, na hiyo moto sasa imezima pale Linda Mwananchi, na tumefurahi sana,” Murkomen said.
Murkomen questioned what he described as the movement’s lack of a clear policy platform, saying its leaders had not explained what they intended to do if they gained political power.
“Tukiwauliza policy yenu ni nini wanasema katiba,” he said. “How can the constitution be a policy?”
His remarks come barely a week after Linda Mwananchi drew a large crowd at Nairobi’s Jacaranda Grounds, where Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Siaya Governor James Orengo and other opposition figures addressed supporters.
The September 13 rally became one of the movement’s biggest public demonstrations since it began its countrywide mobilisation.
Sifuna has emerged as one of the movement’s most prominent figures as he steps up his political activities ahead of the 2027 General Election.
But the movement has also faced questions over its political vehicle and the relationship between its leading figures.
Sifuna and Babu have differed over the party through which the movement should pursue its political ambitions. The disagreement has centred on whether to use the Mwananchi Party associated with Babu or the Ukombozi People’s Party backed by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
The internal debate has added to scrutiny of a movement that has brought together politicians from different parts of the country around opposition to President William Ruto’s administration.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, however, has rejected reports of divisions, saying leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi remain united.
“All these leaders are speaking with one voice; Governor James Orengo, MP Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna,” Osotsi said.
“We are one. The only problem is the government, which is creating problems within Linda Mwananchi.”
Murkomen’s comments also come as other figures allied to the government have questioned the movement’s staying power.
COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli on Sunday separately described the Jacaranda rally as a “passing cloud”, arguing that a large political gathering should not by itself be taken as proof of lasting political strength.
Sifuna, meanwhile, has continued to mobilise through Linda Mwananchi, with the movement seeking to establish a broader opposition platform ahead of the 2027 election.
