Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has announced that his Linda Mwananchi movement raised more than KSh 500,000 within just 12 hours of launching a public M-Pesa Paybill to support its activities.
According to figures shared by Sifuna on Tuesday, July 22, the campaign collected KSh 519,144 from 9,419 contributors, highlighting strong public participation in what the senator describes as a people-powered political movement.
The donations ranged from KSh 1 to KSh 5,000, with the average contribution standing at approximately KSh 55. Sifuna said the figures demonstrate that the movement is relying on ordinary Kenyans rather than wealthy financiers to fund its operations.
Citizen-Funded Politics
Digital strategist and political activist Pauline Njoroge praised the fundraising milestone, saying it reflects the growing appeal of citizen-funded politics in Kenya.
She argued that campaigns financed by ordinary citizens help make leaders more accountable to the public instead of a few influential donors, noting that similar funding models are common in established democracies.
Why the Paybill Is Registered Under Sifuna’s Name
Sifuna clarified that the Paybill is registered under “E. Sifuna” because Linda Mwananchi has not yet been formally registered as a political party, making it impossible to open an account under the movement’s name.
He said the decision was disclosed publicly to avoid confusion among supporters making contributions.
Funds to Support Campaign Activities
Speaking in a previous interview, the Nairobi senator dismissed claims that the movement is being financed by wealthy sponsors, insisting that its operations are sustained by public donations.
He pledged full transparency, saying all funds collected would be accounted for and shared with the movement’s leadership during planning meetings.
According to Sifuna, the money will cater for operational expenses such as rally logistics, service providers and other campaign-related costs.
He revealed that the movement’s most expensive rally so far was held in Kisumu, costing about KSh 2.6 million, with a significant portion of the budget going towards security after the event reportedly faced threats.
Mixed Reactions Online
The fundraising exercise sparked debate on social media.
Supporters praised the initiative as a demonstration of grassroots political support, with some describing it as proof that the movement belongs to ordinary Kenyans rather than wealthy political interests.
Others, however, questioned whether raising just over KSh 500,000 is sufficient for a campaign with national ambitions, arguing that a presidential bid requires significantly greater financial resources.
Despite the differing opinions, the rapid fundraising has put the Linda Mwananchi movement in the spotlight, with supporters viewing it as an early test of public enthusiasm for Sifuna’s political agenda.
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