Sifuna's quest for President under United Opposition Backed by Luhya Council of Elders

The Luhya Council of Elders has endorsed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's quest for the presidency under the United Opposition has been endorsed by the Luhya Council of Elders , saying he has won support from Kenyans across the country.

Speaking during a forum, the council's vice chair Noah Wekesa a former minister under the late Mwai Kibaki's regime said the elders fully support Sifuna's political ambitions and believe he is well placed to join other opposition leaders in the race for the country's top seat.

He said Sifuna's popularity extends beyond the Western region, noting that the senator has toured close to 17 counties and attracted large crowds.

"We have agreed as the Luhya Elders Forum that our son Edwin Sifuna has been accepted by a lot of Kenyans and since he's our son, we naturally want to state very clearly that we support his efforts of wanting to join others in the political arena," Wekesa said.

"We are glad that Sifuna's journeys did not start in Luhya land. This young man has been to close to 17 counties before he came here and we have seen mammoth, huge crowds of young people, old people and poor people supporting Sifuna.”

Wekesa said the elders are fully behind senator Sifuna and would bless him if given the opportunity.

At the same time, Wekesa acknowledged that Sifuna is not the only leader in the opposition with presidential ambitions and urged him to work with other opposition figures.

"If he was here, we would put our hands on his head and say, 'Son, go ahead and join others in the effort of trying to produce a new leadership in Kenya. There are many people who are leaders of their own political parties in the arena and we are saying, join these people, talk to them and agree on the way forward," he said.

He maintained that the Luhya community stands firmly behind Sifuna in his quest to become one of the country's national leaders.

ADVERTISEMENT

On July 28, the Nairobi Senator said he would not reject the opportunity to be the presidential candidate if it emerged as a collective decision backed by Kenyans.

The senator said the Linda Mwananchi movement was seriously considering fielding a presidential candidate in the next General Election, but stressed that such a decision would not be made by one individual.

"If the people feel that this is the best way for us to proceed, we will not say no. We will proceed with the people," Sifuna said.

He said Linda Mwananchi had grown into a significant political movement after months of public engagement across the country, adding that it was responding to calls from Kenyans seeking an alternative political direction.

Sifuna said the movement had toured 16 counties and planned to visit every part of the country before making major political decisions.

"We are very strongly considering the prospect of running a presidential candidate. That is something that is clear. It's coming from the people themselves. They are asking us because there are things they see that we represent," he said.

He maintained that any decision on who would fly the movement's presidential flag would be made collectively.

"I don't make unilateral decisions. That decision has to be made together with the people so that it is a decision that is owned by everyone and not just Sifuna."

ADVERTISEMENT

The senator said Linda Mwananchi had reached its current position by listening to ordinary Kenyans and would continue consulting widely before settling on its political roadmap.  has endorsed

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's for presidency under the United Opposition, saying he has won support from Kenyans across the country.

Speaking during a forum, the council's vice chair Noah Wekesa said the elders fully support Sifuna's political ambitions and believe he is well placed to join other opposition leaders in the race for the country's top seat.

He said Sifuna's popularity extends beyond the Western region, noting that the senator has toured close to 17 counties and attracted large crowds.

"We have agreed as the Luhya Elders Forum that our son Edwin Sifuna has been accepted by a lot of Kenyans and since he's our son, we naturally want to state very clearly that we support his efforts of wanting to join others in the political arena," Wekesa said.

"We are glad that Sifuna's journeys did not start in Luhya land. This young man has been to close to 17 counties before he came here and we have seen mammoth, huge crowds of young people, old people and poor people supporting Sifuna.”

Wekesa said the elders are fully behind senator Sifuna and would bless him if given the opportunity.

At the same time, Wekesa acknowledged that Sifuna is not the only leader in the opposition with presidential ambitions and urged him to work with other opposition figures.

"If he was here, we would put our hands on his head and say, 'Son, go ahead and join others in the effort of trying to produce a new leadership in Kenya. There are many people who are leaders of their own political parties in the arena and we are saying, join these people, talk to them and agree on the way forward," he said.

He maintained that the Luhya community stands firmly behind Sifuna in his quest to become one of the country's national leaders.

On July 28, the Nairobi Senator said he would not reject the opportunity to be the presidential candidate if it emerged as a collective decision backed by Kenyans.

The senator said the Linda Mwananchi movement was seriously considering fielding a presidential candidate in the next General Election, but stressed that such a decision would not be made by one individual.

"If the people feel that this is the best way for us to proceed, we will not say no. We will proceed with the people," Sifuna said.

He said Linda Mwananchi had grown into a significant political movement after months of public engagement across the country, adding that it was responding to calls from Kenyans seeking an alternative political direction.

Sifuna said the movement had toured 16 counties and planned to visit every part of the country before making major political decisions.

"We are very strongly considering the prospect of running a presidential candidate. That is something that is clear. It's coming from the people themselves. They are asking us because there are things they see that we represent," he said.

He maintained that any decision on who would fly the movement's presidential flag would be made collectively.

"I don't make unilateral decisions. That decision has to be made together with the people so that it is a decision that is owned by everyone and not just Sifuna."

The senator said Linda Mwananchi had reached its current position by listening to ordinary Kenyans and would continue consulting widely before settling on its political roadmap.