Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi has criticised senior Western Kenya politicians over their opposition to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, arguing that the region's political choices can no longer be controlled by a handful of established leaders.
Kibagendi took aim at Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi after his recent address in Western Kenya, claiming the crowd appeared unenthusiastic as the senior Kenya Kwanza leader sought to rally support against Sifuna.
“I watched Musalia Mudavadi addressing a visibly unenthusiastic crowd in Western Kenya, struggling to manufacture an argument for why the Luhya nation should not support Edwin Sifuna, and instead continue supporting a regime that has presided over discrimination, economic hardship and the erosion of hope among millions of Kenyans,” Kibagendi said.
The MP contrasted Mudavadi's presidential performance in the 2013 General Election with Sifuna's showing in the Nairobi Senate race, arguing that political influence must be earned through voters rather than inherited through established political networks.
“Political relevance is not inherited; it is earned from the people,” Kibagendi said, noting that Mudavadi garnered about 483,000 votes in the 2013 presidential election while Sifuna secured more than 700,000 votes in the Nairobi Senate contest.
Kibagendi also singled out other influential Western Kenya figures, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary-General Francis Atwoli.
“Someone needs to tell Mudavadi, Wetang’ula, Oparanya, Atwoli and the other old political brokers of Western Kenya that there is a new political force in town, and it cannot be wished away, intimidated or negotiated out of existence,” he said.
According to Kibagendi, Sifuna's growing appeal reflects a generational shift in Kenyan politics, particularly among young voters who are increasingly influencing political decisions within their families and communities.
He further argued that Sifuna had already attracted backing from several prominent Western Kenya leaders, including former Cabinet minister Musikari Kombo, former Vice President Moody Awori, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, former Butere MP Andrew Ambwere and former Nominated MP Manyala Keya.
Kibagendi maintained that residents of Western Kenya should be allowed to make independent political choices without pressure from community political brokers.
“The era of negotiating entire communities in boardrooms is coming to an end,” he said.
He linked the emerging political contest to wider public demands for change, citing reforms in education and healthcare, job creation, economic opportunities for young people and greater accountability in government.
“The youth are awake. The people are watching. The old political arithmetic is changing. And the demand for a new Kenya cannot be stopped by the custodians of the status quo,” Kibagendi said.