Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has confidently refuted claims that retired President Uhuru Kenyatta finances the Linda Mwananchi movement. He emphasizes that the movement thrives on the support of everyday Kenyans, Members of Parliament, and other generous individuals.
During a lively morning interview on a local radio station on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Sifuna assured listeners that the movement operates with complete transparency and can clearly account for its funding through public records.
“I’m not receiving funds from Uhuru. I’m funded by the people,” Sifuna affirmed.
He explained, “We maintain a public website where we can share our M-Pesa statements, which cover payments for DJs, stages, and transportation. As Members of Parliament, we are blessed by the community, and while I’m not wealthy, I can always manage transport to Kisii. We dedicate ourselves to engaging with citizens, discussing their needs, and moving forward. The rumors about funding stem from a political culture where people expect cash handouts.”
Handout Politics
Sifuna pointed out that the expectation for politicians to distribute money at public gatherings has fueled speculation about wealthy individuals financing opposition efforts.
Referencing media personality and Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhand, who suggested that Kisii residents should not attend meetings unless given at least Ksh 500, Sifuna questioned the feasibility of such demands.
“Yesterday I heard MP Zaheer Jhand say that in Kisii, if someone invites you to a meeting without offering Ksh 500, you shouldn’t accept. Where would I find Ksh 500 to give a crowd like the one you saw in Kitengela, Machakos, or Mlolongo? If I were to give Ksh 500 to each person, how much would that cost? Such expectations drive up the cost of politics. We don’t even distribute T-shirts or caps; I see Simba’s meetings with tents and everyone wearing branded shirts. Just one cap costs Ksh 250, and a shirt about Ksh 400. That adds up quickly, and that’s why people think we’re funded,” he explained.
He reiterated that the Linda Mwananchi meetings rely on contributions from elected officials and the public, not cash handouts.
Funding Claims
Sifuna’s comments come amidst allegations from some government-aligned leaders linking the movement to retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He challenged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to provide evidence if these claims hold any truth.
“You heard Murkomen say that politicians are under 24-hour surveillance, and he knows when I sleep and who I’m with. So, he must have seen me receiving money from Uhuru. Why can’t he show the country evidence of Uhuru Kenyatta and me exchanging funds?” he questioned.
Earlier, Jubilee Party Executive Director Dann Mwangi also denied reports of Uhuru financing the movement.
“No, that’s not true. As far as I know, if our party leader were to fund a party, it would be Jubilee, not another. Uhuru does not fund Linda Mwananchi,” Mwangi stated during a K24 TV interview on June 11, 2026.
He added that the movement arose from public concerns regarding the cost of living, taxation, and governance.
Movement Funding
The debate surrounding Linda Mwananchi’s funding continues as the movement expands its activities in preparation for the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna has consistently maintained that the rallies are fueled by public support rather than paid mobilization. He explained that Members of Parliament supporting the movement contribute to logistical costs, such as sound systems and transportation, while the public also makes donations through the movement’s paybill.
The senator has further connected the funding discussion to ongoing political realignments within ODM, where he leads the Linda Mwananchi faction, which has critiqued certain aspects of the party’s engagement with the government.
