By Anderson Ojwang
Within the next 48 hours, it will be a make or break for the Luhya community and Linda Mwananchi co-principal Edwin Watenya Sifuna.
Similarly, Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o’s prophecy will be on trial in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma respectively on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
This weekend, Kenyans of all walks will be watching closely either the birth or a stillbirth of a Sifuna tsunami in Luhya land and, more importantly, whether Nyong’o’s prophecy has finally come to pass.
All roads will be leading to Trans Nzoia and Bungoma, where the country’s political blockbuster is expected to erupt to usher in a new dispensation not only in Luhya land but nationally.
The prophecy
Nyong’o headhunted Sifuna to be the ODM Secretary General and predicted that he was built for the future.
“I think none of you knows how Edwin Sifuna came into ODM. The guy is built for the future. If you don’t know what I am saying, go home and think,” he predicted then.
Trans Nzoia
On Saturday, Sifuna will have a pre-homecoming rally in Trans Nzoia County, the home of Luhya leadership. In Trans Nzoia is the home of the Luhya leaders, the late Masinde Muliro, former Vice President the late Michael Wamalwa Kijana, and the late MP George Kapten.
Currently, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya of the Tawe Movement will host the Linda Mwananchi brigade in the area ahead of the Sunday homecoming.
Saturday’s rally in Trans Nzoia is of great significance to Sifuna as he will appease and seek the blessing of the community leaders in his pursuit of the country’s presidency.
Natembeya recently resigned as DAP-K party leader to join Linda Mwananchi to promote and support Sifuna’s march to the presidency.
“We will be in Bungoma for a homecoming. All leaders will converge in Bungoma on that day. In Bungoma, the elders will bless our son, Sifuna, to go out in search of the presidency,” he said.
Rehearsal
Bungoma has been electric with the residents engaging in a rehearsal ahead of Sunday’s Sifuna homecoming rally.
Songs, dance, and peaceful demonstrations have been witnessed in the town ahead of D-day, while in other parts of Western Kenya, the conversation has been about the birth of a Luhya leader.
The itinerary
The Linda Mwananchi team has unveiled its itinerary for Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties, which will culminate in a grand rally at Bungoma Posta Grounds on July 26, 2026, during Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s homecoming.
Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati said the Linda Mwananchi caravan will be in Kitale on Saturday and proceed to Kiminini Market in Trans Nzoia County.
“We will begin with a rally in Kitale on July 25, then a Sunday service at Kiminini Catholic Church on July 26. We will then proceed to Kamukuywa market for a roadside rally, then to Kimili, Chwele, and our final rally will be at Bungoma Posta grounds,” Wangamati said.
Bungoma: The making of a tsunami and trial of Nyong’o
The Posta Ground will be historic; it will mark the birth of a Luhya leader and, for the first time, try to resolve the elusive Luhya unity.
Equally, Nyong’o’s day of the moment will come to pass as Sifuna’s future will finally have come to pass.
Already, several top Luhya leaders and elders have been defecting and aligning with Sifuna’s presidential bid.
Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale and DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala have openly endorsed Sifuna’s presidential bid.
“It is our time as the Luhya nation. I call upon my brothers Musalia Mudavadi, Francis Atwoli, Moses Wetang’ula, and all Luhya leaders to unite and support Edwin Sifuna in his journey to the Presidency of Kenya,” Khalwale said.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has declared that Luhya leaders allied to the Linda Mwananchi movement will support Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna ahead of the 2027 general election, signalling a major political shift within the opposition.
Bukusu Council of Elders Kimilili Chapter Chairman Professor Bonventure Wanjala Kere has thrown his weight behind Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s reported 2027 presidential ambitions, arguing that the Luhya community should focus on the country’s top seat instead of pursuing the deputy presidency.
“Our son Sifuna has offered himself for the presidency. This is the feel on the ground. I will be on the forefront to support him,” Malala said.
Casualties
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has been the first casualty of Sifuna after they sacked him as Secretary General.
Recent opinion polls rank Linda Mwananchi at 78 percent in popularity while Dr Oburu Oginga-led Linda Ground is at 22 percent.
Recently, 36 ODM coordinators defected from ODM to Linda Mwananchi, and most of the sub-branches have also changed allegiance to the Sifuna-led outfit.
Currently, ODM is domiciled in Luo Nyanza for women’s economic empowerment while Linda Mwananchi is holding countrywide series of rallies and receiving new members and aspirants.
For years, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula have been regarded as the region’s principal political power brokers. Their influence grew further after Ruto’s victory in the 2022 election, with Mudavadi securing the position of Prime Cabinet Secretary while Wetang’ula became Speaker of the National Assembly.
Prime Cabinet Secretary
An hour of test is fast arriving for Mudavadi over Sifuna’s presidential bid. Mudavadi has declared his bid for 2032 and in 2027 is supporting President William Ruto’s second term.
“Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi does not have what it takes to vie for the presidency. I was the first person in the Mulembe nation to contest for the presidency, so I know the stakes. They do not have the muscles to run for something close to the presidency,” he said.
Khalwale recently offered to broker a truce with Mudavadi and Wetang’ula over Sifuna’s presidential bid.
Already Mudavadi has been criticised for his opposition to Sifuna’s presidential ambition.
Wetang’ula
Wetang’ula is facing a political storm in his Bungoma backyard, and his Ford-K party faces a test of a decade over its hold on the county’s leadership and politics.
With the emerging Sifuna tsunami, both Wetang’ula and Mudavadi may find themselves shoved off the political terrain.
