Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has dismissed claims that former President Uhuru Kenyatta is bankrolling the Linda Mwananchi movement, saying the opposition initiative is being funded by ordinary Kenyans who are making small contributions through a public fundraising drive.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday, Sifuna said assertions that Kenyatta was financing the movement were false, despite maintaining regular contact with the former Head of State because of his position as Azimio's party leader.
"No, he's not," Sifuna said when asked directly whether Kenyatta was funding the movement.
He explained that while he occasionally speaks with the former president, those conversations should not be taken as evidence that Kenyatta is providing financial support or directing the activities of the campaign.
When pressed on whether Kenyatta contributes to the movement in any other way, Sifuna again rejected the suggestion, saying the former president has only publicly encouraged young people to pursue leadership.
"No. Maybe just encouraging us. When he speaks, he does it in public. He says young people need to be encouraged to take leadership," Sifuna said.
The Nairobi senator said claims that Kenyatta was secretly financing the opposition outfit ignored how the movement had chosen to raise its resources.
Instead, he said Linda Mwananchi is relying on contributions from supporters across the country rather than a handful of wealthy individuals. According to Sifuna, the movement has already raised about Sh6.5 million through its public paybill, with many Kenyans contributing as little as Sh10 and Sh50.
He said the donations show that citizens are ready to support a political alternative using their own resources instead of depending on influential financiers.
Sifuna argued that leaders who rely on a few wealthy backers often find themselves obligated to repay political favours once they assume office.
"I would rather be indebted to 10 million Kenyans who send me Sh10 each than two people sitting somewhere giving me Sh5 million each," he said, adding that such a model protects leaders from what he described as the corrupting influence of money in politics.
He also revealed that he had previously turned down an offer of Sh1 billion from an unnamed individual, saying the Linda Mwananchi movement would not accept donations from people whose interests could compromise its principles.
Sifuna said every shilling collected from supporters would be accounted for after the campaign, maintaining that transparency remains a key part of how the movement operates.
While acknowledging that he still communicates with Kenyatta, Sifuna insisted those discussions are private and should not be interpreted as proof that the former president is financing or directing the Linda Mwananchi movement.