Nambale parliamentary aspirant Kevin Okwara has announced his exit from Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement, declaring his support for President William Ruto’s bid for a second term.
Okwara, a visible supporter of Linda Mwananchi in Busia County, said his decision was personal and intentional, acknowledging it would not sit well with some of his supporters in Nambale and across the county.
“Let me say this clearly, without fear and without apology. I have decided to support President William Samoei Ruto for a second and final term,” Okwara said in a statement shared on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
He said leadership is not about following the crowd, but about having the courage to make unpopular decisions that one believes are right. He maintained that he supported Linda Mwananchi and Sifuna, and still believes the Nairobi Senator has a future in national leadership.
Why Kevin Okwara ditched Linda Mwananchi
However, Okwara argued that Kenya is bigger than any one individual, and that Nambale and Busia are bigger than any political movement or personal preference. He said President Ruto was elected for five years and, if Kenyans give him another mandate, he should be allowed to complete his ten years.
Okwara on Sifuna’s chances of being president
According to Okwara, it is only after Ruto completes his second and final term that the country can have a serious and sober conversation about succession, and at that point Sifuna can be part of that conversation.
The aspirant also reflected on his own political journey, saying he has lost elections before and understands what it means to make political choices, win, lose and live with the consequences.
“I know what it means to make political choices, to win, to lose and to live with the consequences. I have also learnt that politics is not a love affair. It is about interests, timing, strategy and what you believe serves the greater good,” Okwara said.
“I am not asking anyone to hate Sifuna. I am not asking anyone to abandon their convictions. I am simply exercising my democratic right to choose where I stand,” he added.
