Senator Onyonka: Internal dysfunction in Linda Mwananchi is dismantling the movement

• He said there are differences in ideologies and political ambitions among members, as some only seek to remove President William Ruto from office while others are focused on broader public matters.

Senator Onyonka speaking in an interview with Citizen TV on April 9, 2024

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has opined that internal disputes within the Linda Mwananchi movement are threatening to undermine its progress ahead of the 2027 General Election.

According to Senator Onyonka, leaders in the movement share different ideologies and political ambitions, as some only seek to remove President William Ruto from office while others are focused on broader public matters.

"Linda Mwananchi’s success is the one cannibalising itself and causing internal dysfunctionality,’’ Onyonka told NTV on Monday.

The legislator clarified that Linda Mwananchi is not a party but a movement where members have been united by similar political activities that he argued have become successful despite limited planning.

He also dismissed claims that Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino is a ‘sellout’ within the movement, saying disagreements among members are partly a result of the lack of a central structure to resolve internal disputes.

The Senator raised concerns about the formation of political parties along ethnic or regional lines, saying some politicians may seek to use their communities as political bases.

"Let us not be too harsh on what is happening in Linda Mwananchi. This is an experiment that even I could never have foretold; I do not know the end of it," Onyonka stated.

Senator Onyonka had previously admitted to cracks within the faction, noting that as a young movement, infiltration is feasible because of the varying personal political ambitions.

"The ups and downs, the noise you see, some of our members are going to be infiltrated, people will be given money, but there are fewer of us who are not going to compromise," he said.

He admitted that some politicians do not hold the same political ambitions, sparking friction in forging a unified political mission as they strategize on their path to the 2027 polls.