NAIROBI, Kenya — Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has revealed that Kenyans have so far contributed KSh6.5 million through the Linda Mwananchi movement’s public fundraising paybill, describing the donations as a sign that citizens are embracing grassroots financing as an alternative to money-driven politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a televised interview on Tuesday, July 28, Sifuna said the contributions demonstrate growing public confidence in the movement and could help reduce politicians’ dependence on wealthy financiers.
“As of today, we had, I think, KSh6.5 million on that paybill number, and I continue to be eternally grateful. Kenyans are changing the conversation,” Sifuna said.
The Nairobi Senator said the fundraising campaign is intended to challenge the long-standing perception that only politicians with vast financial resources can mount credible election campaigns.
“It all started with this notion that somehow, we in Linda Mwananchi do not have the money to run a campaign. You don’t need KSh4 billion to run for office,” he said.
Sifuna argued that successful democracies around the world rely heavily on ordinary citizens to finance political campaigns through voluntary contributions rather than leaving candidates dependent on a small group of wealthy benefactors.
“In mature democracies, it is the public that finances leaders to be able to run for office,” he added.
The Linda Mwananchi movement introduced its fundraising paybill earlier this month as part of a broader strategy to encourage supporters to contribute directly to its political activities.
Movement leaders say the initiative is designed to promote transparency, accountability and public ownership while reducing reliance on large private donors.
The fundraising model comes at a time when Kenya’s campaign financing framework remains only partially operational.
Although Parliament enacted the Campaign Financing Act, 2013 to regulate campaign contributions and spending, key provisions—including expenditure limits and mandatory disclosure requirements—have never been fully implemented after repeated suspensions by lawmakers.
As a result, campaign fundraising in Kenya remains largely unregulated, allowing candidates to rely on personal wealth, donations from supporters, fundraising events and backing from political parties without comprehensive oversight.
Political analysts have long argued that the high cost of election campaigns creates barriers for candidates without substantial financial resources while increasing concerns about the influence of wealthy financiers and the potential for corruption once elected leaders assume office.
Against that backdrop, Sifuna said Linda Mwananchi hopes to demonstrate that broad-based public participation can become a viable alternative model for financing political competition.
The movement has in recent months expanded its activities across several counties through public rallies, town hall meetings and consultative forums focusing on governance, the economy, education, healthcare and youth empowerment.
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Its leadership, including Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo and other opposition figures, has consistently presented Linda Mwananchi as a citizen-driven political platform built around accountability, constitutional governance and public participation.
Although the movement has yet to unveil a presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election, its leaders maintain that grassroots fundraising will remain central to its political strategy as preparations for the polls gather pace.
If sustained, the KSh6.5 million fundraising milestone could become an early test of whether ordinary Kenyans are willing to finance political movements directly—potentially reshaping long-standing assumptions about how election campaigns are funded in the country.
