By Anderson Ojwang
The organic growth of Linda Mwananchi is fast spreading its tentacles not only in the country but also globally, with the group receiving invites from Kenyans in the diaspora.
After a series of successful rallies in Kenya, the political momentum is not about to fade out, but the intensity is growing, with the United States of America becoming the next port of call for the Linda Mwananchi group.
The accidental movement birthed from a political fallout in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over the pre-election coalition arrangement between President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) with ODM and the sacking of the party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna is on the move.
This weekend, Linda Mwananchi will hold its first rally in Nairobi that would mark a milestone in its quest for not only the city gubernatorial seat but also the presidency.
The leadership of Linda Mwananchi—Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino—have been engaging delegations and ambassadors in new political realignments in the country.
Port of call
USA has always remained an important determinant in Kenya’s political dispensation, and leading political leaders have often visited the country to engage with Kenyans in the diaspora, fundraise and address major gatherings.
And now Linda Mwananchi finds itself in the rank and file of the parties and leaders trooping to the USA.
Currently, former Deputy President and party leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), Rigathi Gachagua, is in the USA for a 50-day visit, a second one in two years.
President Ruto is also expected to visit the USA later this month to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka visited the country in February 2026. Kalonzo attended the 74th National Prayer Breakfast on February 5th, 2026.
Invite
Sifuna and his colleagues are expected to visit the United States of America to woo the Kenyan diaspora community to back their political aspirations and fundraise for his presidential quest.
Linda Mwananchi’s US fundraising director, Paul Lwali, has made a request to Washington authorities to help facilitate the group’s two-day tour to the country on an undisclosed date.
According to a report published by The Africa Intelligence on September 7, 2026, Lwali submitted to the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) in mid-August about the intended tour.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka confirmed the planned visit, saying the movement was extending its tentacles beyond the country’s boundaries.
“Yes, it is true that we have planned a series of diaspora tours, including the US. Kenyans abroad are eager to hear from us. They want to know our plans for the country and what we will do to bring change,” Onyonka said.
High stakes meetings
Sifuna recently held high-profile meetings with diplomats, including British High Commissioner Matt Baugh and acting US Ambassador Marc Dillard.
Recent diplomatic engagements involve envoys from countries like the UK, the US, France, Germany and Australia.
Implications
Linda Mwananchi is eating into the political profile and space of ODM and acquiring the political roots of former party leader, the late Raila Amolo Odinga.
Raila in his life held a series of high and powerful meetings, gave lectures abroad and fundraised locally and globally.
The current leadership has been relegated to the periphery and hardly gets mentions in the high-profile meetings and invites by the diaspora.
Diaspora factor
Kenyans living in 12 countries were able to vote during the 2022 General Election. A total of 10,444 voters abroad were registered for the 2022 polls, compared to just 4,223 in 2017.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), out-of-country voting is allowed for the presidential election only.
Kenyan voters outside the country initially could only vote from 12 countries, chosen based on the number of Kenyans who live there. The countries are Burundi, Canada, Germany, Qatar, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uganda, the UK and the US.
In April, it was reported that at least 16 countries will be added to Kenya’s diaspora voter registration programme as the IEBC moves to expand participation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The expansion targets countries with significant Kenyan populations and is guided by population size, feasibility and cost considerations. The 16 countries include Saudi Arabia, Botswana, Oman, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland (Bern), the Netherlands, Ghana, Italy, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Ireland, Türkiye, Ethiopia, China (Guangzhou) and Mozambique.
The IEBC also plans to roll out mobile registration centres to widen access in high-density diaspora locations, particularly in South Africa, Canada and the United States, as well as other cities with large Kenyan communities.
The Commission said mobile centres will be deployed in selected diaspora hubs in South Africa, Canada and the USA to enhance accessibility and participation.
Currently, it is former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who is on a tour of the US and has continued his engagements with Kenyans living there.
