Kibwana, in a post on X on Friday, September 25, 2026, described Linda Mwananchi as a “breath of fresh air” in Kenya’s political landscape while cautioning its leaders against allowing disagreements to fracture the movement.
His remarks appeared directed at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who have been at the centre of the movement’s mobilisation and the emerging debate over its political vehicle.
“In love, I must say: even if not perfect, Linda Mwananchi is a breath of fresh air which should avoid ethnicization,” Kibwana said.
Kibwana invokes Solomon’s judgment
Kibwana invoked the biblical account of King Solomon to warn Sifuna, Babu and other leaders against allowing their differences to destroy the political platform they have built.
“HE Edwin Sifuna & HE Babu Owino & TEAM, HISTORY & Kenya’s GENZ-OTE will judge you harshly if, like the lady before Solomon, you decide Baby LM be sliced into two,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing debate within Linda Mwananchi over the movement’s political direction and the party vehicle that will be used to contest the 2027 elections.
The movement has increasingly attracted national attention through its grassroots mobilisation, with Sifuna positioning himself as a presidential contender while Babu has declared interest in the Nairobi gubernatorial race.
Despite their different ambitions, Babu has repeatedly insisted that he remains firmly behind Sifuna’s presidential bid and that the two can pursue different elective positions while working together under the Linda Mwananchi umbrella.
Linda Mwananchi faces political test
Kibwana’s intervention comes at a delicate moment for Linda Mwananchi, which has emerged as one of the more visible opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 polls.
The movement has been associated with Sifuna, Babu, Siaya Governor James Orengo and other opposition figures and has held rallies in different parts of the country, including a major mobilisation in Nairobi on September 13.
The Nairobi rally also intensified attention on the movement’s ability to transform its growing public presence into a structured political organisation capable of competing in the 2027 elections.
The question of the movement’s political vehicle has emerged as one of the key issues facing its leadership, with different figures advocating for different approaches to coalition-building and party organisation.
Kibwana’s warning therefore places renewed emphasis on the need for Linda Mwananchi leaders to manage their differences while maintaining the movement’s broader appeal across Kenya.
The former governor also cautioned against ethnicisation, an issue that has historically shaped Kenya’s political contests and remains a major concern as parties and political movements begin consolidating their support bases ahead of the 2027 General Election.
For Linda Mwananchi, the coming months are likely to test whether its leaders can maintain unity, agree on a political vehicle and build structures capable of translating its growing rallies into sustained grassroots support.
