Edwin Sifuna: The surging political firestorm that is hard to ignore

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna addresses residents during Linda Mwanachi rally in Kitengela town on February 15, 2026. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

There is a political firestorm called Edwin Sifuna that is sweeping across Kenya. It is an authentic force, at times appearing like a reincarnation of such past storms as pre-Mau Mau Jomo Kenyatta inspiring anti-colonial speeches, Tom Mboya's Ndege campaigns, and Kenneth Matiba's 1992 Githingithia. He has Masinde Muliro's emotional attraction, Martin Shikuku's consistency, Mboya's mental agility, Elijah Mwangale's abrasiveness, and his uncle's passion.

He was born in May 1982 when his uncle Lawrence Sifuna and James Orengo were big government critics in Parliament, where Charles Njonjo had dismissed them as 'bearded sisters'. In Edwin, Orengo probably sees his 'bearded' comrade in the struggle against Daniel Arap Moi, but this time the struggle is against Moi's political protege, William Ruto. To Orengo, therefore, Edwin is a cultural and ideological 'nephew' who deserves full support of the political 'elders'.