Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has warned Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino against allowing political differences to split the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Kibwana’s remarks come as divisions over the political party to be used by the movement in the 2027 General Election continue to emerge among its leading figures.
The former governor urged Sifuna and Babu to put the interests of the movement ahead of their individual political ambitions and resolve their differences before they deepen.
The disagreement has largely centred on the political vehicle Linda Mwananchi should use in the 2027 elections.
Babu has backed The Mwananchi Party, while Sifuna has settled on the Ukombozi People’s Party as his preferred political vehicle.
The issue has exposed growing differences within the movement, with other leaders also weighing in on the dispute.
Babu recently said there was no problem with him leading his own party while Sifuna leads another, arguing that the two parties could operate under a wider Linda Mwananchi coalition.
“If we want to be genuine with ourselves, we must have a coalition which covers various interests,” Babu said.
He also maintained that his political relationship with Sifuna remained intact despite the disagreement over the parties.
The debate has nevertheless raised questions over whether the movement can maintain a united political front as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also intervened in the dispute, saying he had spoken separately to Sifuna and Babu and urged them to contain tensions among their supporters.
Gachagua warned that exchanges between supporters of the two leaders could deepen divisions within Linda Mwananchi and urged the two politicians to work together.
“Linda Mwananchi will play a significant role when we converge in liberating our country. We don’t want that movement divided,” Gachagua said.
The latest intervention by Kibwana adds to growing calls for the movement’s leaders to resolve the dispute over its political structure before it affects the wider coalition-building efforts ahead of the 2027 polls.
