Gachagua urges Sifuna and Babu Owino to defuse rising social media tensions

• The former Deputy President said he had asked the two leaders to meet urgently and caution their supporters against what he described as government interference in the Movement.

A file photo of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during a past Linda Mwananchi rally. PHOTO | COURTESY

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has urged Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino to move quickly to contain an online row between their supporters, warning that the dispute could deepen divisions within the Linda Mwananchi Movement.

Speaking during a media engagement at Shawnee Mission Park in Kansas City, USA, Gachagua said he had spoken separately to Sifuna and Owino and urged them to address the growing tensions among their supporters.

"I know there is a small challenge back home, with supporters of Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino trading barbs and insulting each other,” Gachagua said.

“I placed a call to Edwin Sifuna from here and had a long chat with him. I did the same with Babu Owino and told them, ‘Look here, you young guys, your movement is being infiltrated'.... "

The former Deputy President said he had asked the two leaders to meet urgently and caution their supporters against what he described as government interference in the Movement.

He said he had also asked Senator John Methu to join the two leaders in discussions, expressing hope they would resolve the differences before they escalate.

According to the DCP leader, the dispute among supporters was also taking on a tribal dimension, with Luo and Luhya supporters trading insults online.

He urged Sifuna and Owino, whom he described as leaders from the two communities, to caution their supporters against escalating the exchanges.

“Linda Mwananchi will play a significant role when we converge in liberating our country. We don’t want that movement divided... I have seen it’s taking a tribal dimension that I don’t like, where the Luo people and the Luhya people have started trading insults,” he said.

His intervention comes amid heated exchanges among Kenyans, particularly on X, over the political influence and mobilisation strength of Sifuna and Owino.

The debate intensified after Linda Mwananchi’s Nairobi mobilisation on Sunday, September 13, which culminated in a rally at Jacaranda Grounds.

The event also drew attention after Owino publicly rebuked ardent Linda Mwananchi supporter Abbie Zuena, sparking further discussion online about tensions within the Movement.

The rally also highlighted differences over its political direction, with several leaders backing Sifuna’s bid for the presidency amid competition from Siaya Governor James Orengo, who has also expressed interest in the top seat.

Despite the political confusion, the Embakasi East MP on Friday, September 18, reaffirmed his support for Nairobi Senator Sifuna’s 2027 presidential bid, saying he will continue backing him despite differences within Linda Mwananchi.

Speaking in Central Nyakach, Kisumu County, on Friday, September 18, during the funeral of Jeremiah Kisero, Owino said his political relationship with Sifuna dates back to their difficult days in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Owino said the two had remained together through various challenges, including Sifuna’s expulsion from the party.

“We started together when we were facing challenges in the party, after he had been expelled from ODM. We stood by him after the expulsion, and now he is on his way to becoming the President of Kenya,” Owino said.

The differences within Linda Mwananchi centre on the political party that should serve as the movement’s vehicle for the 2027 General Election.

He said he had secured the Mwananchi Party before Linda Mwananchi was formed and did not want it absorbed into another political vehicle.

The MP has proposed a coalition arrangement in which Sifuna would lead the Ukombozi Party while he continues to lead the Mwananchi Party, with the two parties working together under the Linda Mwananchi umbrella.