Osotsi dismisses Linda Mwananchi divisions, accuses Ruto of fuelling infighting

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi accused President William Ruto of fuelling reports of divisions within the movement, saying attempts to create disunity would fail.

“Na hawa vijana wote wanaongea na sauti moja, Mheshimiwa Babu Owino, Mheshimiwa Sifuna na Mheshimiwa James Orengo sisi tuko kitu kimoja, ile kitu iko ni Kasongo anajaribu kuweka vita ndani ya Linda Mwananchi kupitia mtandao,” Osotsi said.

The remarks come amid growing debate over the political ambitions of leaders within Linda Mwananchi ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka recently acknowledged that members of the movement hold different political views and belong to different political parties, saying the differences have created friction as the group works towards a common political agenda.

Onyonka said the movement's older leaders were engaging younger politicians to strengthen cohesion and maintain a united political front.

He identified Senator Sifuna and MP Babu Owino among the younger leaders whose relationships the group was seeking to strengthen.

“We will try and work on Babu, his relationship with Sifuna. They do not have a fight as per say, it's the people making noise. We are working on their relationship. We believe that once we sit with Kalonzo and the team things will be well,” Onyonka stated.

Onyonka also pointed to differences between Saboti MP Caleb Amisi and Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya over political influence in the Western region, saying the formation of a separate political party by Amisi could contribute to fragmentation.

He warned that the movement could face attempts at infiltration because of the different political ambitions among its members.

Despite the differences, Onyonka maintained that Linda Mwananchi was committed to working as a unit and was preparing a manifesto that would be made public.

Meanwhile, DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa has opened the door for Sifuna to join the party and pursue the presidency.

“Sisi leo tunasema palipo na nia pana njia, leo tunakuambia Sifuna kama hawa watu wa broad-based government wanakuzuia Linda Mwananchi isisajiliwe ati wakuzuie kwenda kwa debe, sisi DAP-Kenya tuko tayari kufungua mlango Sifuna aingie kwetu,” Wamalwa said.

Some opposition members have publicly presented Sifuna as a preferred presidential candidate, while Siaya Governor James Orengo has also expressed interest in the 2027 presidency.

The two leaders have, however, pledged to engage in talks to produce a single Linda Mwananchi presidential candidate.