MERU, Kenya – Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has turned President William Ruto’s 2022 ‘hustler’ campaign narrative against him, declaring that the opposition will use the ‘Wantam’ message to challenge the President in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during the Linda Mwananchi political event in Meru on Sunday, August 30, 2026, Sifuna criticised Ruto’s campaign strategy that helped propel him to victory in the 2022 presidential election.
The ODM official argued that Kenyans were now experiencing the consequences of the political approach used during the last election.
Sifuna also urged Ruto not to be angered by criticism, saying Kenyans were seeking better living conditions, freedom and improved governance.
Sifuna takes aim at Ruto’s 2022 strategy
Addressing supporters in Meru, Sifuna directly referenced Ruto’s 2022 campaign message, which presented him as a representative of ordinary Kenyans and positioned his political movement around the ‘hustler’ narrative.
“Hiyo plan yako ya 2022 ndio imetuingiza kwenye shimo kama Wakenya. Ruto usijam, twende tu polepole mpaka uelewe kwamba Wakenya wanataka kuishi maisha ya huru,” Sifuna said.
The Nairobi senator then unveiled the opposition’s counter-message, saying the political campaign would now focus on making Ruto a one-term president.
“Dawa ya moto ni moto. Vile ulikuwa unazunguka ukisema hustler, sisi tunakuja tukiimba Wantam. Watu wameamua na wanasema huyu jamaa lazima aende nyumbani,” he said.
The ‘Wantam’ slogan has increasingly featured in opposition rallies as leaders seek to mobilise voters around the campaign to prevent Ruto from securing a second term.
Sifuna pushes opposition unity
Sifuna’s remarks came as opposition leaders continued efforts to build a united political front ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Linda Mwananchi campaign has brought together several opposition figures who have stepped up criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration while calling for political change.
Sifuna has emerged as one of the prominent voices in the mobilisation campaign, using rallies to highlight issues affecting ordinary Kenyans and advocate for a stronger opposition coalition.
The senator said the opposition would continue engaging voters at the grassroots and building support around issues affecting their daily lives.
The political mobilisation comes as several opposition leaders position themselves for the 2027 presidential contest, with negotiations over alliances and a possible joint candidate expected to intensify.
Pauline Njoroge warns against ethnic divisions
Political commentator Pauline Njoroge also used the Meru event to criticise what she described as attempts by individuals within the Ruto administration to divide Kenyans along ethnic lines.
Njoroge alleged that some people in government were discouraging cooperation between communities, particularly people from the Mount Kenya region and other parts of the country.
“Kuna wakora katika serikali ya Ruto wanataka kugawanya hii nchi kwa misingi ya kikabila. Wakienda huku kwingine, wanaambia watu wasifanye kazi na wasiwe na ushirikiano na watu wa Mlima Kenya,” Njoroge said.
She urged Kenyans to reject political messages that seek to create divisions between communities and instead embrace cooperation across ethnic and regional lines.
Her remarks come as political leaders increasingly focus on building broad national alliances ahead of the 2027 polls.
Meru rally highlights growing political contest
The Meru rally is part of a wider Linda Mwananchi mobilisation campaign that has taken opposition leaders to different parts of the country.
The movement is seeking to build grassroots support while bringing together politicians with varying political backgrounds around a common message of challenging the current administration.
Sifuna’s latest remarks demonstrate the increasingly direct nature of the opposition’s campaign against Ruto.
With the 2027 election approaching, the language of political competition is already becoming sharper, with the ruling camp defending its record and opposition leaders promising to remove Ruto from office.
