Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is facing a novel legal battle after a voter filed a petition in the High Court demanding a full financial accounting of funds raised through the Linda Mwananchi political movement.
The petitioner, Alan Masakhalia, claims he contributed Sh55 to the initiative’s public Paybill number (3033049) under the impression that the money was funding Sifuna’s prospective 2027 presidential campaign.
Now, Masakhalia wants the court to compel the ODM Secretary General to open the books and account for millions collected from the public.
According to court documents, the Linda Mwananchi movement was promoted as a citizen-driven campaign aimed at offering an alternative political trajectory for the country.
The fundraising drive quickly gained traction, utilizing digital Paybills as well as grassroots collections in rural markets where buckets bearing Sifuna’s image were used to gather donations.
The petition highlights that the campaign raised approximately Sh519,144 from over 9,000 contributors on its first day alone, with the total rapidly climbing to roughly Sh2.21 million within 36 hours.
The core of Masakhalia’s suit hinges on accountability amid shifting political alliances.
He points to recent public statements where Sifuna indicated a willingness to step aside for opposition unity and potentially back other presidential contenders, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, or former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.
The petitioner argues that while he respects Sifuna’s constitutional right to alter his political path, public contributors deserve to know what becomes of their money if the original campaign objective is abandoned or redirected.
Crucially, the lawsuit does not seek to force Sifuna onto the 2027 presidential ballot.
Instead, it asks the High Court to determine whether citizens acquire enforceable constitutional rights over funds voluntarily contributed to public political drives.
Masakhalia is requesting orders to compel Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi outfit to fully disclose all account balances, expenditure records, and recipient details, while asking the court to freeze the funds to prevent any diversion to alternative political causes pending the determination of the case.
