By Anderson Ojwang
A new movement is fast unfolding in the country that will radically redefine and shape Kenya’s 2027 general election.
The Sh10 bob movement, which first came into the scene in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, is taking on a national life.
The movement is becoming a people-driven movement where they collect and contribute money to their preferred candidates.
In the national arena, Linda Mwananchi presidential aspirant Edwin Sifuna has found himself as one of the beneficiaries.
On Sunday, on his way to Bungoma Posta Grounds, Sifuna received financial donations from the public.
“Governor pole, I was counting the money members of the public donated to our course. The people of Kiminini have given us. This is because some said that we don’t have the financial muscles.”
Sifuna said elections were not about having money but the people, and exuded confidence of winning the elections.
“We want to tell them that even if we don’t have the money, we have the people, and so we can become the president of this country. The people of Kiminini, you have given us enough money to fuel our cars to Mombasa and back to Kitale,” he said.
Sifuna said he was indebted to the public for their Sh10 bob contribution, which was a movement for a better Kenya.
“I want to say that I better be indebted to you. That Sh10 bob you give to me is better than to be indebted to billionaires, where one person will donate Sh10 million for campaigns. We are not boarding. So that when I become your president, I do not want them coming to disturb me over tenders. I know the Sh10 bob you send to us is what we will repay once we form government by reducing the cost of fuel,” he said.
The Ol Kalou Sh10 bob movement
The by-election set a precedent and opened a new chapter in Kenya’s political and electoral campaigns.
In Ol Kalou, the residents developed a new political mantra and movement of “Sh10 versus Sh1 billion” for the DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru Ngotho against the UDA candidate.
In Ol Kalou, the government rolled out a basketful of development goodies, and money flowed freely.
But in response, the residents collected money to purchase a suit for Waweru for his National Assembly swearing-in as MP-elect.
Acting DCP Secretary General and Nyandarua Senator John Methu was able to collect a total of Sh2,823.
Methu wrote then on his social media platforms: “Last Tuesday, Mugumo villagers agreed to contribute 10 shillings each when they come today, to buy a brand new suit for the swearing-in of Waweru after Mr William Ruto, through his most trusted lieutenant Moses Kuria, called him a chokoraa. Pesa wametoa nyingi.”
For Methu, the Sh10 contributions run deeper than just financial support – it is love and a morale booster ahead of the July 16th by-election.
“The 10 shillings movement really boosts our morale ahead of the 16th July moment of truth. It’s not the money, it’s the love,” he said then.
Atwoli’s Sh1 billion claim
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli chided Sifuna over lack of financial might and rich friends to fundraise for him.
Atwoli said a presidential bid required financial might and a candidate cannot base his candidature on financial support from a single quarter.
“The presidency requires money, and if you want to be president in this country, it is me who will help you raise even Sh1 billion in a minute. How can you seek the presidency with money that has been donated to you? It is us who have friends, and it is us who can help you become president. Your personal money cannot make one president,” he said.
He claimed some of the Luhya leaders were being sponsored by outsiders to divide the Luhya community and the vote block.
“Some people have been sponsored by some political quarters, and we know them. You cannot come to divide the Luhya community because you have been sent for that mission,” he said.
But Sifuna told Atwoli that he didn’t need his money and has the support of the people to run his campaigns.
JM Kariuki’s seed
After independence, JM Kariuki planted a seed which has come to germinate and dictate the country’s politics.
In the late 1960s and early ’70s, Kariuki’s relationship with Kenyatta became increasingly strained as Kariuki became increasingly vocal in his criticism of Kenyatta’s governmental policies and their results, including high levels of government corruption and widening inequalities.
The government’s attempts to thwart his re-election as Nyandarua North MP in 1972 flopped because of his popularity among ordinary Kenyans.
While Kenyatta praised Kenya’s great progress, JM declared that Kenya “had become a country of 10 millionaires and ten million beggars.”
