Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has responded sharply to Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko after the governor warned him against holding a Linda Mwananchi rally in the county. Sifuna insisted that political leaders must uphold democratic freedoms and allow open engagement across regions.
Speaking on Monday during an interview with K24 TV, Sifuna said threats and restrictions on movement do not belong in a modern democracy. He made it clear that he will proceed with his planned tours.
“I will not stand and tell Honourable Ochilo Ayacko not to come to Nairobi. Let him come, and even if he wants to, I will facilitate him to hold his meeting here in Nairobi. But statements like those we hear from some leaders belong to a political system we want to leave behind,” Sifuna said, maintaining that Kenya does not operate under an authoritarian system. He added that leaders should compete through ideas, not intimidation.
“We want honest and open debate; if they beat us intellectually, let them beat us. But this chaos of telling others not to step in certain places, we are not under the KANU government,” he said.
The senator made it clear that his Linda Mwananchi political meetings will go on as planned, despite the warning. He announced that the tours will resume after the Ramadan period, with stops scheduled in several regions, including the Coast and Migori County.
“Our meetings will continue because we are not cowards; we will wait for Ramadan to end, then plan the schedule. We will go to the coast; we will visit other places. I want to assure the Migori governor: we will come to Migori,” he said.
Sifuna maintained that fear will not shape his political agenda and that intimidation will not restrict his movements. He invoked the legacy of the late Raila Odinga as a symbol of resilience.
“If they want to kill us, let them kill, but we are not intimidated. Baba did not raise people who are cowards; let him prepare. We will give him a date,” he said.
The senator’s comments came a day after Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko asked residents not to allow what he described as an ODM rebel faction to stage Linda Mwananchi rallies in the county.
Speaking on Sunday at Posta Grounds in Migori town during the ODM Linda Ground rally, Ayacko said the county recognizes Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as its ODM leader. He added that the county would not accept anyone claiming leadership of a separate faction.
“We, who are here in Migori, do not want anyone to come and toy with us. That other faction of those others, will you allow them to come here to Migori? Let me see those who have rejected it by raising their hands. If you are a person who wants to cause chaos, find another place to do that chaos. Here in Migori, our leader is Oburu Odinga, and we are fully in ODM, and we have decided we want to keep it that way,” Ayacko said.
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