Kileleshwa Ward MCA Robert Alai has taken a sharp swipe at ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and his team, dismissing the massive crowd turnout at their Kitengela rally on Sunday as irrelevant to political influence.
Alai’s comments come after the Monday Standard reported that Sifuna pulled huge crowds during his “Linda Mwananchi” tour in Kitengela, Kajiado County, while interim ODM leader Oburu Oginga Odinga struggled to attract a sizeable audience at a parallel “Linda Ground” tour in Mombasa.
The publication highlighted the stark contrast, noting Sifuna’s event drew “humongous numbers” compared to Oburu’s “paltry crowd,” raising questions about who commands the true grassroots support within ODM.
Reacting on social media, Alai downplayed the significance of Sifuna’s turnout.
“Don’t scare us with crowds. Raila had the biggest crowds for five elections. If crowds made anyone President, Raila would be President five times. Mtajua hamjui!” Alai said.
His remarks reveal a belief among some political commentators that large rally numbers do not necessarily translate to electoral success or political clout.
Alai’s point emphasizes that organized campaigns, voter engagement, and policy messaging ultimately determine election outcomes.
The Kitengela rally was part of Sifuna’s ongoing effort to consolidate support ahead of internal ODM contests, aiming to showcase his influence among grassroots supporters.
Despite the attention, Alai’s critique serves as a reminder that in Kenyan politics, crowd-pulling alone rarely guarantees electoral victories, with history showing that even the largest gatherings may not convert into votes.