Businesses in Ugunja town, Siaya County, came to a standstill on Sunday morning after Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, and a high-powered delegation of more than 15 lawmakers made an unannounced stopover.
The impromptu rally marked the dramatic kickoff of the Linda Mwananchi Tour, a political outreach initiative expected to climax later today with a major town hall meeting in Busia Town.
What was anticipated to be a brief transit quickly transformed into a high-energy political gathering as the convoy snaked into the town centre.
Traders abandoned their stalls while residents poured into the streets, chanting and waving as the leaders addressed the crowd from atop their vehicles.
Governor Orengo and Senator Sifuna told supporters that the tour was not about early campaigns but listening to citizens’ concerns, particularly the rising cost of living and frustrations with governance.
The presence of vocal lawmakers such as Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Saboti MP Caleb Amisi underscored a show of unity among key opposition figures, reinforcing the political weight of the tour.
Under the banner “Linda Mwananchi” (Protect the Citizen), speakers criticised the current economic climate, accusing the government of neglecting grassroots priorities and ignoring the struggles faced by ordinary Kenyans.
The Ugunja stop was described as a warm-up to the main engagement in Busia, where a more structured public forum is planned. Hundreds were already gathering at the Busia venue as the convoy departed Ugunja.
Among leaders expected in Busia are James Orengo, Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino, Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, and several other MPs.
The tour is widely seen as a strategic effort to consolidate regional support and gauge public sentiment ahead of the 2027 General Election, as opposition leaders sharpen their message around economic justice and citizen-centered leadership.
Tags
Politics