This comes as the popularity of the former ODM secretary
general soars.
On Thursday, Ruto for the first time directly responded to
Sifuna, rubbishing his policy views on his affordable housing programme.
Ruto's response came just a day before a Trends and Insights
For Africa (Tifa) poll showed that Sifuna was now the strongest opposition
candidate.
Sifuna polled 15 per cent, nine per centage point behind the
President.
On Thursday, Ruto hit back at Sifuna over comments the
senator made about the government's Affordable Housing Programme.
Analyst say the direct response is a recognition that Sifuna
had become a consequential player whose criticism could no longer be ignored.
“They have built 12-storey affordable housing units in
Funyula. We Luhyas can't live in a place where our chickens can't. Tell me,
boss, how will your chicken get to the 12th floor?” Sifuna jokingly
said during an interview with Luhya FM stations on
On Thursday, Ruto dismissed the comments aiming at Sifuna
with a hard-hitting rejoinder.
“There are people telling us that Kenyans should continue
living in slums simply because a chicken cannot be taken to the 15th
floor. Do these people really have any sense?” Ruto said.
Previously, Ruto has aimed his artillery mostly at Rigathi
Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka and Fred Matiang'i.
This was the first time the President was publicly
responding to the Linda Mwananchi boss who is being touted as one of the
potential united opposition’s candidates.
Until recently, Sifuna's attacks on the government had
largely been countered by Cabinet Secretaries, UDA officials and
government-allied leaders.
Ruto's direct response suggests the head of state now
considers the Nairobi senator a serious political challenger within the
emerging united opposition.
Former Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire told the Star that
Sifuna getting attention of the whole government is a big political statement.
“The Kenyan people have noted. The whole government has set
sometime to manage him, those are big statement,” he told the Star in a phone
interview.
“Kenyans have sired children in whom they have hope for the
future, that their interest can be served. Among the children, Sifuna is one of
them.”
“He is resilient, that is how people navigate to victory.
That is why I said his future is bright. The young man has a bright future.”
The exchange comes as Sifuna continues to gain national
visibility following recent opinion polls that placed him among the country's
fastest-rising opposition figures.
Tifa research released on Friday showed the first-term
senator steadily improving his standing.
The poll giving Ruto a 24 per cent win placed Sifuna second
with a countrywide approval of 15 per cent.
From the study Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka came third with
13 per cent, Jubilee’s Fred Matiang’i (14 per cent), Rigathi Gachagua (7 per
cent) and Babu Owino (2 per cent).
“Although opposition support remains fragmented, Sifuna has
recorded the fastest rise among opposition figures, increasing from virtually
no support in 2025 to 15 per cent in June 2026, positioning him among the
leading opposition contenders,” Tifa explained in a statement.
Sifuna has also been capitalising on the momentum generated
by the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has staged rallies across parts of the
country while calling for opposition unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
The movement's latest target is Western Kenya, where
preparations are in top gear for twin homecoming rallies in Trans Nzoia and
Bungoma counties this weekend.
The events are expected to serve as a political show of
strength for Sifuna in his home region and test the movement's ability to
convert growing public enthusiasm into a formidable political machine.
Organisers say a host of influential political leaders,
former legislators, professionals and opinion shapers from the region have
confirmed attendance, signalling the widening appeal of the Linda Mwananchi
campaign beyond traditional opposition strongholds.
Vihiga Senator Godffrey Osotsi told the Star that they had
extended invitation to all the opposition principals with some indicating they
will send their representative.
“We invited Matiang’i and other principals to come to
Bungoma as member of the opposition. They may not come in person but they will
send their representative which is a good thing.
“Bungoma and Trans Nzoia rallies are going to show the world
where Western region is heading to.”
The rallies come amid reports of a steady stream of
endorsements from leaders associated with Ford Kenya, DAP-K and other regional
political formations, reinforcing claims that Sifuna is emerging as Western
Kenya's most influential opposition figure.
Beyond the political symbolism, Sifuna's allies have also
embarked on efforts to build a financial war chest to sustain the movement's
nationwide activities.
Veteran politician Fred Gumo disclosed, in an interview with
West TV, that lawyers from Western Kenya had begun mobilising resources to
support Sifuna’s presidential bid, saying professionals from the region had
volunteered to bankroll the senator's growing political campaign.
Gumo also said community leaders would complement the
lawyers' initiative by organising additional fundraising drives to ensure
Sifuna has adequate resources to popularise his agenda across the country.
“I am happy that lawyers from western have come up with
paybill to support Sifuna. As a community, we will also do our contribution to
bankroll him.”
“Sifuna only needs fuel and transport logistics, his
supporters don’t need facilitation. They only need him to reach them where they
are. Obama (Former US President Barack Obama) ran without serious financial war
chest.”
Gumo, along time ally of late Raila Odinga, also disclosed
that former Busia senator and Attorney General Amos Wako is also backing
Sifuna.
Wako is one of the ODM party trustees.
“Today, I spoke to Wako – he is away in Geneva – he told me
he is supporting Sifuna,” Gumo said.
Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, who is among organisers on the
ground for the two rallies, said everything was in place ahead of the rallies.
“The growing enthusiasm and commitment from our people
reaffirm that when leaders unite around the aspirations of wananchi, a
stronger, more inclusive and prosperous future becomes possible,” he said.
“Energised by the overwhelming support from the great people
of Bungoma ahead of the long awaited weekend homecoming of Edwin W. Sifuna and
our Linda Mwananchi the journey has begun and together we shall win.”
As part of the preparations, Sifuna was due to address all
region stations broad-casting in Luhya dialect as he pitch his agenda to the
region which boast of a combined five million votes.
