Embakasi East MP Babu Owino with Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna on July 25, 2026/HANDOUT
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has urged residents of Western Kenya to back the Linda Mwananchi movement, saying it offers the region an opportunity to pursue what he described as economic empowerment and accountable leadership.
Speaking during the Linda Mwananchi tour in Trans Nzoia County on Saturday, Babu said the movement was seeking to "liberate" the Western region from poverty and unfulfilled political promises.
"Today we have come to help liberate the Luhya community. We have come to liberate the Western region," he told supporters at Sibanga.
"We want to save you from the shackles of oppression and the shackles of corruption."
The legislator questioned the government's record on employment and economic empowerment, claiming many of the promises made to young people and women had not been fulfilled.
"Youth were told they would get jobs. How many of you here have jobs?" he asked the crowd.
"Women were told they would graduate from running kiosks to owning supermarkets. How many of you now own supermarkets?"
Babu also highlighted the challenges facing boda boda operators, saying many continue to struggle with rising living costs and frequent encounters with law enforcement officers.
"Our boda boda operators are struggling. They are harassed..., and when they return home, they have no money. When they are asked about rent, they have no answer," he said.
He argued that Kenya needed a leadership focused on improving livelihoods by creating employment opportunities, supporting small businesses and reducing the cost of living.
The Trans Nzoia tour attracted thousands of supporters as the Linda Mwananchi team made stopovers at several trading centres across the county.
The delegation was led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and included Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and other leaders allied to the movement.
Addressing the rallies, Sifuna thanked Kenyans for financially supporting the movement through public donations.
"They said we don't have money, but the paybill is bringing in money every day. I want to thank you for the many Sh10 contributions you have sent. We don't need Kasongo's money; we will walk with the power of the citizens," Sifuna said.
Governor Natembeya called for greater unity among leaders, while Khalwale urged residents to support what he described as a people-driven movement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Trans Nzoia rallies form part of Linda Mwananchi's nationwide mobilisation campaign as opposition leaders seek to expand their grassroots support across the country.
The movement has been holding public engagements in different regions, focusing on governance, the economy, youth unemployment and the cost of living as political activity gathers momentum ahead of the next General Election.
