Onyonka Warns Internal Disputes Could Undermine Linda Mwananchi Ahead of 2027

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has warned that growing disagreements within the Linda Mwananchi movement could undermine its progress as its leaders seek to establish a political strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Onyonka said the movement's rapid growth had exposed differences among its leaders, who, he argued, have varying political ambitions and views about the group's direction.

He described the situation as an internal challenge created partly by the movement's success and rapid expansion.

“Linda Mwananchi’s success is the one cannibalising itself and causing internal dysfunctionality,” Onyonka said during an interview with NTV.

Movement Lacks Formal Structure

Onyonka said Linda Mwananchi is a political movement rather than a registered political party, meaning it does not have the formal internal mechanisms that established parties use to resolve disputes.

He said the movement had managed to mobilise significant public support despite having a relatively loose organisational structure, but that the same structure was becoming a challenge as political differences emerged.

“Because Linda Mwananchi Movement is not a party, there are no dispute resolution mechanisms,” Onyonka said.

Recent reports have pointed to disagreements among leaders over the political vehicle the movement should use in the 2027 elections, with different factions discussing competing party arrangements.

Onyonka, however, has previously played down suggestions of a personal confrontation between Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, saying the differences should not be interpreted as a direct fight between the two leaders.

Onyonka Defends Babu Owino

The Kisii senator also rejected suggestions that Babu Owino should be regarded as a “sellout” within the movement.

Instead, he attributed some of the disagreements to the absence of a central structure capable of managing competing interests and resolving disputes.

Onyonka has also previously explained that the Mwananchi Party associated with Babu Owino was registered after members of the wider Linda Mwananchi team were involved in discussions about creating a political vehicle. He said the team had initially considered the name Linda Mwananchi Party but found that the name “Linda” was unavailable.

The debate over the appropriate political vehicle has become one of the major organisational questions facing the movement ahead of the 2027 polls.

Questions Over Movement's Political Ideology

Onyonka also questioned whether the movement has developed a sufficiently clear national political programme.

He said differences could emerge if some members focus primarily on removing President William Ruto from office while others seek to advance a broader agenda addressing economic, social and governance concerns.

“What is the ideology? Is it just about removing President Ruto or you have genuine concerns for Kenyans?” he asked.

The senator cautioned against allowing political parties to develop primarily around ethnic or regional interests, saying such an approach could complicate efforts to build a broader national movement.

“Let us not be too harsh on what is happening in Linda Mwananchi. This is an experiment that even I could never have foretold; I do not know the end of it,” he said.

Leaders Seek to Manage Differences

Onyonka has previously said senior politicians were engaging younger leaders in an effort to contain disagreements within the movement.

He has also acknowledged that political ambitions among members differ, creating friction as leaders consider their individual and collective plans for the 2027 election.

The movement has continued to hold public rallies and attract political figures from different parts of the country. The National Police Service recently praised one of its Nairobi rallies as an example of orderly political conduct.

However, questions remain over the movement's organisational structure, choice of political party, leadership arrangements and the extent to which its various leaders can maintain a common political programme.

With the 2027 General Election approaching, those questions are likely to remain central to the movement's efforts to transform its growing public mobilisation into a formal political organisation.