Why Linda Mwananchi leaders cancelled Ol Kalou tour

Linda Mwanachi leaders led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna held a series of rallies in Kisii County. [Linda Mwanachi, X]

Unity within the Opposition appears to be under fresh strain after the Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi Movement cancelled plans to hold rallies in Ol Kalou Constituency this weekend.

The Linda Mwananchi brigade will instead convene a meeting in Nyahururu Town on Sunday. Analysts argue that the former deputy president probably thinks Kangata is attempting to popularise Sifuna in his Mt Kenya stronghold.

Confirming the change on his X account on Friday night, Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata said the movement would only proceed with its engagement in Nyahururu Town, removing Ol Kalou from its schedule.

"Linda will only go to Nyahururu Town," Kang'ata stated.

The decision followed criticism from Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, who objected to the planned visit, arguing that campaigning in the Ol Kalou by-election should be left to local leaders.

Gachagua urged Kang'ata not to campaign for the DCP candidate, Sammy Kamau, saying he was free to support any other political party but should keep off the DCP's campaign, which he described as a locally managed effort.

"We don't need you there for DCP unless you are coming to campaign for another party. If you want to campaign for UDA, please go ahead. If you want to campaign for Jubilee, go ahead, or any other party. But for DCP, ours is a local campaign. We do not want confusion in Ol Kalou," he added.

He further argued that Kang'ata was unfamiliar with the constituency's political landscape because he had not participated in the campaign earlier. He added that introducing the Linda Mwananchi Movement at the final stage would disrupt the process.

Gachagua said: "Kang'ata has never been to Ol Kalou. He does not understand Ol Kalou, its issues, or the narrative. He cannot come and bring Linda Mwananchi to campaign on the last day without knowing what the issues are or how the campaign is being conducted."

Yesterday, political analyst Martin Andati argued that Sifuna is already dancing on a national platform and should not engage in an argument over having meetings in Ol Kalou.

“Potential allies should not be engaging in fights, that is why I think Linda Mwananchi made the right call to avoid visting Ol Kalou. Sifuna  has allies in all regions across the country and that makes it challenging for other opposition outfits,” says Andati.