NAIROBI, Kenya — Nairobi Senator and Linda Mwananchi leader Edwin Sifuna says threats to his team’s safety forced them to change travel plans and avoid landing in Kisumu due to security fears and intimidation.
This was ahead of Saturday’s rally at Amalemba Stadium in Kakamega County, which was attended by thousands of supporters.
–Airport Safety Under Scrutiny–
Sifuna revealed that the group’s scheduled landing at Kisumu International Airport was called off after ‘goons’ reportedly barricaded access points around the facility, raising serious questions about the airport’s ability to guarantee passenger safety.
He has called on the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to explain how such a breach was allowed to occur at a key regional hub.
“We need to hear from the Kenya Airport Authority whether Kisumu is still an International Airport and whether they can still guarantee the safety of all passengers transiting through there,” he said in a statement on X.
By God’s grace and your prayers, the #LindaMwananchi team arrived safely in Nairobi. We thank all of you who showed up and stood with us to beat all the traps of the enemy. We need to hear from @KenyaAirports whether Kisumu is still an International Airport and whether they can
Leaked Itineraries and Alleged Complicity
Sifuna further claimed that the airlines with whom his team had booked flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) shared their itinerary with the Ministry of Interior, information he says was then used to endanger the team’s safety.
“The airlines shared our itinerary with the ghouls in the Ministry of Interior, knowing they were endangering our safety,” he wrote, suggesting a breach of privacy and security protocols.
Following the intelligence about a potential security threat, the team instead landed at Kakamega Airport and continued with their planned rally.
Sifuna emphasised that “we will not relent” in their nationwide mobilisation, despite these obstacles.
–Rising Political Tensions at Rallies–
The airport saga adds to a series of security incidents connected to the Linda Mwananchi tour, which aims to mobilise citizens around governance, rights, and the direction of the next elections. In recent weeks:
- Sound equipment donations intended to help the campaign were allegedly targeted, with a truck carrying a newly gifted system stoned near Riat in Kisumu County, resulting in a cracked windshield. Sifuna described this as an act of intimidation.
- At the Amalemba Grounds in Kakamega County, tear gas was fired at the Linda Mwananchi rally shortly before Sifuna began speaking, forcing some attendees to briefly seek safety before the gathering proceeded. Sifuna urged supporters to remain calm and peaceful despite the disruption.
- Political opponents, including police officials, claimed they had not received formal notification of the Kakamega event, though Sifuna and his allies insist appropriate notices were given and accuse security agencies of overreach.
Senior leaders allied with Sifuna have accused elements within the government of seeking to disrupt rallies and intimidate supporters, framing these actions as an attempt to silence dissenting voices and hinder citizen participation in political processes.
A leader within the Linda Mwananchi movement said rallies will continue regardless of reported interference.
On Saturday, there were police attempts to disrupt the meeting, but they failed.
