Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna renewed his criticism of President William Ruto’s affordable housing initiative during a Linda Mwananchi rally held in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County.
Addressing thousands of supporters, Sifuna raised concerns about the accessibility of the multi-storey government housing projects for young Kenyans who have been injured by police during protest crackdowns. He questioned the logic of constructing 12-storey buildings while police reportedly shoot protestors in the legs, making it difficult for affected youth to access these facilities.
Linking affordable housing to state violence
Sifuna directly connected the government’s flagship housing program with what he described as state-sponsored violence against youth demonstrating against the projects. “How can he put up a 12-storey building in the village and then instruct the police to shoot us in the leg? How are we supposed to access the buildings? How will we access a storey building with bullets lodged in our legs?” he asked the crowd.
The senator also pushed back against portrayals of the opposition as anti-development, emphasizing that the safety and lives of young Kenyans take precedence over infrastructure projects. He posed a rhetorical question on whether parents would prioritize roads over their children’s wellbeing, implying that no parent would choose infrastructure over their child’s safety.
“We do not hate William Ruto. It is he who hates the youth,” Sifuna stated, clarifying that the movement supports development projects like roads, hospitals, and stadiums but condemns the killing of Kenya’s youth.
Linda Mwananchi rally and political implications
The rally attracted thousands who also contributed financially to support the Linda Mwananchi movement’s campaign efforts ahead of the 2027 General Election. This growing financial backing signals the opposition’s intent to mount a well-funded challenge to the current administration.
Sifuna has positioned Linda Mwananchi as a democratic alternative focused on accountability and the protection of civil liberties, framing the 2027 polls as a decisive contest over these issues.
