Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has indicated that the Linda Mwananchi movement is seriously considering fielding a presidential candidate in Kenya's 2027 General Election, saying a final decision will be made after extensive nationwide consultations.

Speaking during a televised interview, Sifuna stopped short of declaring his own candidacy but said he would not turn down what he described as "the call of the people" if members of the movement ultimately asked him to lead their presidential ticket.

"We are very strongly considering the prospect of running a presidential candidate," Sifuna said. "If the people feel this is the best way for us to proceed, we will not say no."

The senator said the movement had so far visited 16 of Kenya's 47 counties and planned to continue engaging voters across the country before making key political decisions ahead of the 2027 polls.

His remarks come amid growing speculation over his political future following his recent fallout with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), where he previously served as Secretary-General and Senate Minority Whip.

No formal declaration

Despite repeated questions on whether he personally intends to contest the presidency, Sifuna avoided making a formal announcement.

Instead, he insisted that leadership decisions within Linda Mwananchi are collective and should reflect public opinion rather than individual ambition.

"This decision has to be made together with the people so that it is owned by everyone," he said.

Sifuna acknowledged that his name has featured prominently in recent presidential opinion polls but argued that polling numbers alone were insufficient grounds for declaring a bid.

He said the movement first needed to establish nationwide structures capable of mounting a viable presidential campaign.

Building a national movement

The senator described Linda Mwananchi as a people-driven political movement that intends to field candidates for every elective position in 2027, including Members of County Assembly, Members of Parliament, governors, senators and president.

He said the movement would soon begin establishing formal structures to allow supporters to volunteer, donate and seek nominations.

"Our responsibility is to get organised," he said. "People want to know how they can plug in."

Sifuna also dismissed suggestions that his recent tour of Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties amounted to a political homecoming, arguing that the movement was simply fulfilling its commitment to consult citizens across all regions of Kenya.

Criticism of government

Throughout the interview, Sifuna mounted a broad critique of President William Ruto's administration, accusing it of failing to address the high cost of living, unemployment and rising taxation.

He argued that Kenyans were increasingly demanding leadership anchored on constitutional values, including democracy, human rights, the rule of law and accountability.

"The people are saying these values are more important than roads and markets," he said.

Sifuna further criticised the government's university funding model, affordable housing programme and taxation policies, claiming they had placed unnecessary burdens on ordinary Kenyans.

Opposition unity

Although his popularity has grown in recent opinion polls, Sifuna maintained that Linda Mananchi's immediate priority is building a united opposition capable of defeating President Ruto in 2027.

He said discussions should focus less on personalities and more on presenting Kenyans with a clear alternative government and policy platform.

"We want to be able to tell Kenyans the kind of country they will wake up to after the next election," he said.

ODM fallout

Reflecting on his removal from senior ODM positions, Sifuna said he had accepted the party's decisions and would now concentrate on building the Linda Mananchi movement.

He claimed attempts to reform the party from within had failed and said members of the movement were now focused on the future rather than internal party disputes.

"We have to focus on the future," he said.

While declining to declare his presidential ambitions outright, Sifuna left little doubt that the movement intends to play a significant role in shaping Kenya's political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election.