Sifuna: Uhuru isn’t funding us, ready to work with Gachagua to oust Ruto

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has dismissed claims that retired President Uhuru Kenyatta is financing the Linda Mwananchi movement, insisting the opposition outfit is powered by ordinary Kenyans rather than wealthy political benefactors, even as he declared his willingness to work with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to unseat President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s The Explainer last night, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, Sifuna denied speculation that Uhuru is bankrolling the movement or directing its political strategy, saying the former Head of State’s role has been limited to encouraging young people to pursue leadership.

“No, he’s not,” Sifuna said when asked whether Uhuru was funding the movement.

The Nairobi senator acknowledged that he remains in regular contact with the former president but dismissed suggestions that their conversations revolve around campaign financing or political planning.

“I speak to him because he’s the party leader of Azimio. I do speak to Uhuru, yeah,” Sifuna said.

He added that Uhuru’s long-standing political relationship with veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga made such interactions unsurprising.

“And he was a friend to the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga. So when you run into him, you talk to him. Ama will avoid him?”

According to Sifuna, Uhuru has neither offered financial assistance nor crafted strategy for the opposition movement.

“He does not provide financial assistance, maybe just encouraging us,” he said.

“When he speaks, and he does it in public, he says young people need to be encouraged to take leadership. You’ve heard him saying it.”

Pressed on whether Uhuru had been advising the movement behind the scenes, Sifuna was categorical.

“No. None at all.”

His remarks come amid growing scrutiny over the financing of the Linda Mwananchi movement, which recently launched an M-Pesa Paybill to mobilise small donations from supporters to fund logistics, rallies, security and campaign activities.

Sifuna said the movement deliberately chose grassroots fundraising to avoid dependence on wealthy financiers whose contributions often come with political expectations.

“I would rather be indebted to 10 million Kenyans who’ve sent me 10 bob each than two people sitting and saying we have Ksh5 million each,” he said.

“We want to shield ourselves from that corrupting influence of money.”

He disclosed that the campaign had already raised about Sh6.5 million, describing the public response as evidence that Kenyans were embracing a new way of financing politics.

“As of today, we had, I think, Ksh6.5 million on that Paybill number, and I continue to be eternally grateful. Kenyans are changing the conversation.”

The senator also pledged full transparency, saying every contribution would be publicly accounted for.

“At the end of this campaign, we will account for every coin that we have received because we are not looking for personal enrichment from that PayBill. We have a responsibility to the people contributing this money to explain to them how it is used.”

He further renewed his support for legal limits on campaign spending, arguing that excessive campaign expenditure continues to lock out credible leaders who lack access to vast financial resources.

“I am one of the biggest supporters for capping how much money a candidate can spend. I actually don’t have that kind of money that I see people spending on campaigns.”

Beyond fundraising, Sifuna also signalled a significant political shift by declaring that the opposition is prepared to work with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua despite his previous impeachment.

The former ODM Secretary General, who voted in favour of Gachagua’s removal from office, said past political differences should not stand in the way of a united effort to remove President Ruto from power.

“We will work with everyone who believes in these things, the Constitution and the rule of law. We will work with anyone who believes that Ruto does not deserve an extra day in office and, for as long as that’s our cause, we will work together,” he said.

Sifuna defended his impeachment vote, insisting it was based on specific allegations, including what he termed Gachagua’s interference in the affairs of Nairobi County.

“Nothing has changed. First of all, as a lawyer, I’ll tell you there’s a rule against double jeopardy. He paid for his mistakes, he was impeached. What else do you want me to do, beat him?” he posed.

“I already voted to impeach him and it was for specific crimes, but he’s the one now saying Ruto is an existential threat to this country and that whatever it takes, he can do to remove him.”

He argued that Gachagua carries a unique responsibility to help remove President Ruto because he played a central role in delivering the Kenya Kwanza administration to power.

“He feels largely responsible for Ruto being in power and therefore he has a greater responsibility in removing him than anyone else, and that is something I agree with because, at the end of the day, we have to kick out Ruto.”

The senator also dismissed allegations that legislators were bribed to support Gachagua’s impeachment, saying he required no inducement to vote for the motion.

“I did not need any inducement when it came to Gachagua’s impeachment because I had publicly taken positions against some of his conduct and pronouncements, like his interference in the running and management of Nairobi City County,” he said.

His remarks were in response to claims by National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who recently alleged that money exchanged hands during the impeachment process.

Away from politics, Sifuna defended his modest lifestyle after photographs of his home sparked debate on social media.

“I am very proud of my house; I built it in 2015. Some of us are built differently. We are not attracted to flashy things or grandiosity. It is possible to live modestly,” he said.

Sifuna’s latest remarks come as his national political profile continues to rise. A recent TIFA Research survey ranked him as the fastest-growing opposition presidential contender, placing him second nationally behind President Ruto.

According to the poll, Sifuna’s support rose to 15 per cent in June 2026 from virtually zero in 2025, while President Ruto led with 24 per cent.

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i polled 14 per cent, followed by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka at 13 per cent, while former Deputy President Gachagua registered 7 per cent.