Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has pledged to hold Linda Mwananchi rallies in Migori County, brushing off a warning from Governor Ochilo Ayacko that the meetings would not be allowed.
Speaking Monday on K24 TV, Sifuna said leaders should promote democratic engagement rather than block political activities, describing Ayacko’s threats as outdated and undemocratic.
“I will not stand and tell Honourable Ochilo Ayacko not to come to Nairobi. Let him come, and even if he wants, I will facilitate him to hold his meeting here in Nairobi. But statements like those we hear from some leaders belong to a political system we want to leave behind,” he said, stressing that Kenya does not operate under authoritarian rule.
Sifuna argued that political contests should revolve around ideas and not fear.
“We want honest and open debate; if they beat us intellectually, let them beat us. But this chaos of telling others not to step in certain places, we are not under the KANU government,” he said.
The senator confirmed that his Linda Mwananchi tour will resume after Ramadan, covering several regions, including the coast and Migori.
“Our meetings will continue because we are not cowards; we will wait for Ramadan to end, then plan the schedule, we will go to the Coast, we will visit other places. I want to assure the Migori governor: we will come to Migori,” Sifuna said.
He insisted that threats and intimidation would not influence his political plans, invoking the late Raila Odinga’s principles.
“If they want to kill us, let them kill, but we are not intimidated. Baba did not raise people who are cowards; let him prepare, we will give him a date,” Sifuna added.
The remarks came after Governor Ayacko addressed residents at Posta Grounds in Migori town during the ODM Linda Ground rally on Sunday, warning them against supporting what he called a rebel faction. He emphasised that Migori recognises Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as the county’s ODM leader and rejected any rival claim to leadership.
“We, who are here in Migori, do not want anyone to come and toy with us. That other faction of those others, will you allow them to come here to Migori? Let me see those who have rejected it by raising their hands. If you are a person who wants to cause chaos, find another place to do that chaos. Here in Migori, our leader is Oburu Odinga, and we are fully in ODM, and we have decided we want to keep it that way,” Ayacko said.
