Residents of Kiminini in Trans Nzoia county turned a roadside political rally into a fundraising drive on Sunday after making spontaneous cash contributions to the Linda Mwananchi Movement led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Supporters donated amounts ranging from Sh20 coins to Sh50 notes and other small denominations as they thronged Sifuna's convoy in a show of support for his political movement.
Videos circulating on social media showed residents making
their way through the crowd to reach Sifuna's vehicle, with many handing over
the little money they had to support the movement's activities.
Receiving the donations, Sifuna said the gesture demonstrated that his political movement would be financed by ordinary Kenyans rather than wealthy individuals seeking influence.
"They said one cannot be president in this country without money. I would rather be indebted to the people giving me as little as Sh10 than be indebted to one person who will give me Sh10 million," Sifuna told supporters.
He argued that reliance on a handful of wealthy financiers often compromises leaders once they assume office.
"Those people will give you Sh10 million and then follow us when we take over the leadership of the country and demand to be given huge contracts," he said.
"If you give them the job, they will not do it. They will not build any road for you," he added.
Sifuna maintained that the Linda Mwananchi Movement would continue to rely on small donations from supporters across the country, saying grassroots contributions were more valuable than large donations from influential individuals.
As part of the fundraising drive, the former Jubilee official Pauline Njoroge appealed to supporters to contribute as little as KSh10 to help finance the movement's logistics and nationwide mobilisation activities.
The fundraising appeal comes days after Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli questioned whether Sifuna had the financial muscle to mount a successful national campaign.
Speaking at a church fundraiser in Lurambi, Kakamega county, Atwoli argued that anyone seeking the presidency required strong financial backing and influential allies.
"I have seen one of our sons announcing to become President, but you cannot be a President with an individual's money or borrowed money; you need friends," Atwoli said, adding that he had the networks to mobilise substantial campaign resources.
Sifuna, however, dismissed the suggestion, saying he had no interest in depending on wealthy financiers or accepting large donations tied to political influence. Instead, he insisted his movement would be sustained by ordinary wananchi making modest contributions.
