Political commentator Wafula Buke has challenged senior Linda Mwananchi leaders to put aside their separate political parties and consolidate their political ambitions under Edwin Sifuna ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Buke's appeal was directed particularly at Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, whose political strategies have involved separate party vehicles within the wider opposition movement.
According to Buke, maintaining multiple parties within Linda Mwananchi could create unnecessary competition and consume valuable time that should instead be spent building a formidable national campaign.
Why Buke wants Orengo and Babu to fold their parties
Buke's central argument is based on what political scientists describe as the coattail effect.
He explained that a popular presidential candidate can generate momentum that benefits candidates seeking parliamentary and other elective positions under the same political umbrella.
Buke cited Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign as an example, arguing that Obama's popularity helped Democrats make significant gains in Congress.
He believes Sifuna can create a similar effect if Linda Mwananchi leaders unite behind his presidential bid.
“Sifuna's presidential candidacy will produce the inverse outcome: a coattail effect wherein his popularity and the fervor surrounding his campaign will generate substantial momentum that significantly elevates candidates from his party across lower ballot positions,” Buke said.
Buke’s message to Orengo
Buke reserved a particularly strong appeal for Governor Orengo, whom he described as one of the most experienced and influential figures in the Linda Mwananchi movement.
He argued that Orengo's experience should be used to pursue the movement's larger political objective rather than building a separate party.
“Gov. Orengo, your extensive experience and ideological leadership position you as the movement's most influential figure,” Buke said.
Buke recalled that Orengo's election as his MP in 1980 played a major role in inspiring his own involvement in political activism.
He argued that Orengo should now focus on delivering a government led by a social democrat.
“Your primary objective in this election MUST only be delivering what Raila Odinga failed to deliver: a government led by a social democrat. This will cement your legacy,” he said.
‘What value would you derive from leading a small party?’
Buke questioned whether Orengo would gain enough politically from leading a separate party instead of helping build a national political vehicle around Sifuna.
“What substantive value would you derive from leading a political party whose maximum electoral strength might represent merely a tiny fraction of what Raila previously commanded?” he posed.
He also criticised Orengo's involvement in lower-level campaigns, arguing that the governor's political energy should be directed towards the wider presidential contest.
“Seeing you campaigning for a MCA candidate in Kariobangi is the kind of distractions that are not needed,” Buke said.
Buke warns against opposition fragmentation
The political commentator argued that Linda Mwananchi leaders could spend considerable time campaigning for their individual parties before having to negotiate how to work together.
He said the leaders would then have to negotiate zoning arrangements across different regions before opening discussions with other opposition formations, including the Democracy for Citizens Party.
Buke believes such a process could weaken the opposition's ability to mount a coordinated challenge against President William Ruto.
“Consider the considerable time which will be consumed as Linda Mwanainchi principals campaigns for their respective party candidates, subsequently negotiate zoning arrangements among themselves across various regions, and then engage in further negotiations with the DCP and other opposition entities,” he said.
‘Sifuna’s party can become a national force’
Buke argued that Sifuna's presidential ambitions give his political party an advantage over parties whose leaders are primarily focused on parliamentary or regional positions.
“Sifuna's party, given his status as a prominent presidential contender, will naturally evolve into a national political force instantly,” he said.
He argued that the same advantage would be difficult to reproduce through a new party without a presidential candidate capable of attracting nationwide attention.
Buke also claimed that ODM had become a sectional Luo party and argued that a national political vehicle would be necessary for leaders seeking to challenge the party's current political establishment.
‘We are facing an existential threat’
Buke warned that opposition leaders should not lose sight of what he described as the bigger political battle ahead.
“We are facing an existential threat in Ruto’s candidature and our most important general should not be thinking of getting MCAs, MPs, etc for his party!” he said.
He argued that the 2027 election would require a level of coordination comparable to the opposition unity witnessed during the 2002 election.
“The 2027 election, comparable in significance to the 2002 election, represents the most pivotal electoral contest of our generation,” Buke said.
Buke calls for Linda Mwananchi unity
Buke ultimately called on all Linda Mwananchi principals to temporarily suspend their separate party ambitions and operate under Sifuna's leadership.
“My earnest appeal would be directed toward all Linda Mwanainchi principals to temporarily fold their respective political parties and consolidate their efforts under the leadership of Edwin Watenya Sifuna,” he said.
He argued that such an arrangement would create greater synergy in strategy, mobilisation and resource allocation.
Buke concluded with a direct message urging the movement to end what he considers political fragmentation.
“TUWACHE MCHANGANYIKO, WIMBO NI ‘LERO NI LERO’,” he said.
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