A show of public support unfolded in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, on Sunday after residents surprised Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna by turning his political stop into a grassroots fundraising drive for the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
As Sifuna’s convoy made its way through the area, large crowds gathered along the roadside to welcome him and listen to his message.
During the engagement, many supporters voluntarily came forward with small cash contributions, saying they wanted to help sustain the movement’s activities.
The donations ranged from Sh20 coins and Sh50 notes to other small amounts, with residents giving whatever they could afford.
Videos shared on social media captured people patiently making their way through the crowd to reach Sifuna’s vehicle, where they handed over their contributions.
The moment stood out because the donations came from ordinary wananchi who chose to support the movement using their own limited resources.
While addressing the gathering, Sifuna expressed gratitude for the gesture and said it reflected the kind of political leadership he hoped to promote. He said he would rather build a movement supported by many ordinary Kenyans than depend on a few wealthy individuals who might later expect favours in return.
“They said one cannot be president in this country without money. I would rather be indebted to the people giving me as little as Sh10 than be indebted to one person who will give me Sh10 million,” Sifuna told supporters.
He argued that politicians who rely heavily on wealthy financiers often face pressure after taking office, with those financiers expecting government contracts or other benefits in return.
According to Sifuna, such arrangements can prevent leaders from making decisions that truly serve the public interest.
“Those people will give you Sh10 million and then follow us when we take over the leadership of the country and demand to be given huge contracts,” he said.
“If you give them the job, they will not do it. They will not build any road for you,” he added.
Sifuna maintained that the Linda Mwananchi Movement would continue to depend on small donations collected from supporters across the country.
He said contributions from ordinary citizens, regardless of the amount, showed genuine commitment to the movement’s goals and gave people a sense of ownership.
Former Jubilee official Pauline Njoroge also addressed supporters during the event and encouraged them to contribute as little as Sh10 to help fund logistics and nationwide mobilisation.
She said every contribution, no matter how small, would help the movement reach more Kenyans.The fundraising appeal came only a few days after Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary-General Francis Atwoli questioned whether Sifuna had the financial strength to mount a successful national campaign.
Speaking during a church fundraiser in Lurambi, Kakamega County, Atwoli said anyone seeking the presidency needed strong financial backing and influential allies.
Sifuna, however, dismissed that view, insisting that his movement would not depend on wealthy financiers or donations tied to political influence.
Instead, he said the support shown by ordinary wananchi in places such as Kiminini demonstrated that a political movement could be built through many small contributions from citizens who believe in its vision.
