NAIROBI, Kenya – Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has finally opened up on the reasons why he formed ‘Linda Mwananchi’, a youthful opposition/rebel faction within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
In a recent interview on Radio Generation, Amisi maintained that he did not start a movement to join the United Opposition, a coalition of political leaders led by principals Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper Party), Rigathi Gachagua (Democracy for Citizens Party), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Martha Karua (People’s Liberation Party), among others.
“We started a movement because there are people who do not want President William Ruto but are not feeling it, or they are not excited by the United Opposition. We are taking this mass of people, especially the young people. That’s why they say if you don’t take this mass of people, there will be voter apartheid. They will not vote,” explained Amisi.
Why Raila Odinga lost in the 2022 elections
He attributed this to voter apartheid witnessed in the last election where ODM leader Raila Odinga (deceased) lost his fifth attempt at the presidency.
“People were tired of even Raila. They said he was there in the previous regimes. He was there during the previous elections. He was the Minister of Energy. What did he do? So we did not appreciate the fact that there are young people who do not know Raila fought for democracy and liberation,” added Amisi.
Ahead of the August 10, 2027 elections, Amisi expressed fear that Kenya may derail back to the last generation.
“In this election, we are afraid we are also going back there until we have a new set of leaders who are telling people, ‘Now we are new; we can have a different thinking we did not serve in Moi’s government; we did not serve in Kibaki’s government; we did not serve in Uhuru’s government.'”
MP Amisi pours cold water on Kalonzo’s presidency
Amisi also indicated that he has no problem with Kalonzo but observed that the Wiper leader has been in the system of ‘exchanging roles’ since Moi’s time.
“So my question is very, very honest: he is one of those credible leaders; he has no corruption case around him; he kept his name clean in the minutes of all this corruption; he is a credible leader; I can tell you he is a leader we wish Kenya to have as a President, but my question is, Kalonzo with his 24 MPs, will he have peace?” he paused.
According to Amisi, the time had come when Kenyans were saying they wanted something different on the political scene.
“A new player in the system. And the young people are ready. So we cannot say we are going to join them (United Opposition). Because that was not the idea. But then you can join anyway. You can actually join. It’s your right. You can join together. But you might join knowing that they are actually helping you to remove that,” he added.
Inside ‘Linda Mwananchi’ assignment
The youthful MP serving his second term revealed that he was the one who founded the ‘Linda Mwananchi’ faction.
“I’m the one who started it. It’s only that they did not understand the assignment. The assignment was that some people do not want William Ruto. But they are also tired of these same people who have been there since Moi’s time. They just want something new,” he added.
He further indicated that he was the one who gathered all the youthful leaders in the opposition to join the ‘Linda Mwananchi’.
“Talk of Babu Owino, Sifuna, Clive, Kibagendi, and Ndindi Nyoro was there. Ali Mohamed. And I hosted them in Saboti. I said if you guys are appearing, I will host it. I hosted. It was massive. And there it begins. It began now, the Kenya Moja,” he explained.
‘Linda Mwananchi’ shines to stardom
Amisi also said that when Sifuna was removed as the ODM secretary general, the move catapulted the movement.
“We had planned to go to Kitengela as Kenya Moja. So Sifuna was removed today, and tomorrow we were to go to Kitengela anyway. We had planned it already two weeks earlier,” explained Amisi.
“But if Sifuna were removed without Kenya Moja, he would just be roaming in town. He was removed with a base already set for him. We were already there,” he added.
With the clock fast ticking towards the forthcoming elections, Amisi insists that Kenyans want something different.
“Now if you don’t serve them and you go back and merge with what they are running away from, they will just sit at home on the election day and look at you. Right now, there are no votes to guarantee you victory,” Amisi cautioned.
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