Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has expressed admiration for Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, alongside a group of young legislators associated with the “Linda Mwananchi” political push, saying he would be open to working with them in future political engagements.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Matiang’i described the youthful lawmakers as a strong reflection of Kenya’s current political reality, praising their boldness and energy in national debates.
“I like Sifuna a lot. That group of young legislators is fantastic; they are an excellent example of where Kenya is today,” he said. “I admire their courage. Given an opportunity, I would love to work with them. I like them a lot and what they are doing.”
He specifically mentioned Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and others within the same political space, indicating that he sees value in their approach and influence.
“I would work with Sifuna, Babu, and the whole gang. Changing Kenya is not going to be a one-man guitar, the more we are, the better,” Matiang’i added.
Rising influence of young lawmakers
The remarks come at a time when Sifuna has been gaining attention within ODM for taking a firm and often outspoken stance on governance and opposition politics.
His position has frequently aligned with younger legislators who are calling for stronger accountability from government and clearer opposition identity.
The group linked to the “Linda Mwananchi” narrative has been increasingly visible in national discussions, especially around issues of governance, economic pressure and political accountability.
Within ODM, Sifuna’s approach has contributed to internal debate on strategy, with some leaders supporting broader political engagement while others push for a firmer opposition position.
The discussions have played out against the backdrop of changing political alliances at the national level.
Matiang’i’s political signals
Matiang’i’s comments are being viewed as a signal of his growing interest in engaging emerging political voices as he positions himself within the broader national political space.
By highlighting Sifuna and other young leaders, he appears to be acknowledging the shift in political influence towards younger figures who have become more vocal in public discourse and parliamentary debates.