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 dispute between their supporters, warning that the growing tensions could undermine unity within the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
Speaking during a media engagement at Shawnee Mission Park in Kansas City, United States, Gachagua said he had separately spoken to Sifuna and Owino and asked them to address the exchanges between 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.
He said he had called Sifuna and later Owino, urging them to meet and address the situation before it escalates.
“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’,” he said.
Gachagua also asked Senator John Methu to join the two leaders in discussions, saying the disagreements should be resolved before they divide the movement.
The former Deputy President said the online exchanges had also taken on an ethnic dimension, with supporters identified with different communities trading insults.
“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 political exchanges on social media over the influence and mobilisation strength of Sifuna and Owino.
The debate intensified after the Linda Mwananchi Nairobi mobilisation on September 13, which culminated in a rally at Jacaranda Grounds.
The event also attracted attention after Owino publicly rebuked prominent Linda Mwananchi supporter Abbie Zuena, further fuelling discussions about disagreements within the movement.
Political differences have also emerged over the movement’s future direction, with some leaders supporting Sifuna’s 2027 presidential ambitions while Siaya Governor James Orengo has also expressed interest in the presidency.
Despite the disagreements, Owino on Friday, September 18, reaffirmed his support for Sifuna’s 2027 presidential bid.
Speaking during the funeral of Jeremiah Kisero in Central Nyakach, Kisumu County, Owino said his political relationship with Sifuna had endured various challenges dating back to their time in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
He said the two leaders had remained politically aligned through difficult periods, including Sifuna’s expulsion from the party.
