Her position became a talking point over the weekend after she missed two political events: the launch of Linda Mwananchi’s Nairobi headquarters in Lavington and an ODM rally at Jacaranda Grounds. ODM leader Oburu Oginga took part virtually.
At the Linda Mwananchi launch on Friday, organisers had reportedly reserved a front-row seat for Winnie, but she did not attend. Opposition figures at the event included Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Her absence from the ODM rally also drew attention. Posters carrying her image and promoting her Senate ambition had circulated on social media, raising expectations that she would attend.
Winnie announced her intention to contest the seat on October 15 during an event marking the first anniversary of her father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s death. She said she was seeking the position because Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was pursuing another office, adding that she intended to work with young people.
Her remarks were seen as a sign of support for Linda Mwananchi, but she has not confirmed the political platform she will use. On Monday, she shared an Instagram poll asking followers which route she should take, including joining Linda Mwananchi or remaining in ODM.
The race could involve other aspirants. Nominated Senator Crystal Asige has been associated with Linda Mwananchi, while Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has received backing from Winnie’s brother, Raila Odinga Junior.
Winnie’s next move may clarify whether she will contest under ODM, Linda Mwananchi or another arrangement. For now, her political choice remains unsettled as parties position themselves for the 2027 contest.
Kisii Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati on Tuesday, November 3, urged Jubilee Leader Fred Matiang'i to ditch the United Opposition and join the Orange Party.Arati argued that Matiang'i had no space in the United Opposition, citing Rigathi Gachagua's claim that he, Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka and Linda Mwananchi Leader Edwin Sifuna had enough votes to beat President William Ruto on the ballot.
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A Sunday night political interview on Citizen TV spiralled into one of the more memorable on-air confrontations Kenya has seen in recent times, pitting veteran journalist Jeff Koinange against Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader Cleophas Malala.
The two went head-to-head on Sunday Live on November 1, with the discussion initially centred on generational change in Kenyan politics and Malala's backing of Edwin Sifuna and his run for the Kakamega governorship, nine months before the General Election.
Things took a sharp turn when Malala began defending his record of switching political parties, framing the moves as personal growth rather than opportunism.
Danstan Omari predicts Azimio-UDA coalition ahead of 2027 General Election
The exchange grew increasingly personal from there.
Malala turned on Jeff, accusing him of resisting change and likening him to COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, calling him the "Atwoli of the media."
Jeff was not about to let that slide. He fired back by labelling Malala a serial party hopper and "Little Ruto," and went further by suggesting that Senator Methu had overtaken Malala in terms of influence within the DCP, a remark that clearly stung.
The following day, on November 2, Koinange took to social media to share photos from the interview. His caption was matter-of-fact:
He did not refer to the clash that had set social media alight overnight.
Cleophas Malala brands Jeff Koinange 'Atwoli of the Media' in heated TV clash
The post drew plenty of attention from followers who had watched the fireworks unfold live. Here is what some had to say:
@Fenix Nandokha:
@Eric Nzeki:
@Allan Mbaku:
@Michael Otieno Okoth:
@Ambasador Joe Polong:
In other news, Yvonne’s new role at Shuga Global comes with an estimated monthly salary of between KSh 850,000 and KSh 1.2 million, although her actual pay has not been disclosed.
The figures are based on industry salary comparisons, not confirmed earnings.
Nancy Odindo is a Current Affairs Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering political and world news. Odindo has over six years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2023.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has publicly called on Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to abandon the opposition coalition and align himself with President William Ruto's camp, describing the current trajectory as politically dangerous for the former vice president.
Murkomen made the remarks on Saturday, October 31, at an event in Ngiito, Ilmotiok Ward, Narok county, held to empower women's groups in the area. Speaking before a crowd of supporters, he framed his appeal as friendly advice rather than political pressure.
Kalonzo Musyoka challenges his supporters after heckling incident, calls for 112,000 polling agents
The CS said the recent Linda Mwananchi rally in Nairobi was merely a preview of what lay ahead, suggesting that the momentum behind that movement was far greater than Kalonzo had appreciated.
Murkomen drew on his personal history with the former ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna, stating that he knew him from his university days when the Nairobi senator served in his youth wing. On that basis, he predicted that Sifuna would eventually distance himself from Kalonzo.
Wiper blasts Sifuna after Kalonzo was heckled in Linda Mwananchi event: "There must Be respect"
He further warned that the path being charted alongside Sifuna, Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya, and former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua was one rooted in bitterness, hatred, and violence, and cautioned that such allies would blackmail and embarrass Kalonzo over time.
Murkomen's appeal followed an awkward moment for Kalonzo at the launch of Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi movement in Nairobi on Friday, October 30, where sections of the crowd booed the Wiper leader after he cautioned against rushing to declare Sifuna a presidential candidate, saying opposition talks were still ongoing.
Several leaders within the broad-based arrangement led by Ruto have been making similar overtures to Kalonzo in recent weeks, urging him to cross over and support Ruto's re-election ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo had rejected the advances, maintaining his presidential ambitions and hitting back at the government over allegations of corruption, extrajudicial killings, and abductions, vowing to restore what he described as the country's lost dignity.
Mixed reactions as Kalonzo ends speech after being heckled at Sifuna's event
The remarks come at a time of significant political realignment, with opposition parties engaged in active negotiations to rally behind a single presidential candidate to challenge Ruto in 2027.
Previously, TUKO.co.ke highlighted Kalonzo's response to Ruto after the president called him a formidable rival and his appeal for a united opposition ahead of the 2027 election.
Kalonzo cast his decades in politics as a period of patience and preparation, comparing the experience to the Israelites’ 40 years in the wilderness.
He also challenged supporters to turn Ruto’s praise into a reason to back his presidential ambitions.
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Nancy Odindo is a Current Affairs Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering political and world news. Odindo has over six years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2023.
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has declared he is firmly committed to the 2027 presidential race, dismissing doubt surrounding his candidacy one day after sections of the crowd booed him at the Linda Mwananchi Movement's national secretariat launch in Nairobi.
Speaking in Machakos on Saturday, October 31, during a house-opening ceremony for Senator Agnes Kavindu, Kalonzo addressed the heckling incident head-on and urged his supporters not to be distracted from the larger goal.
Wiper blasts Sifuna after Kalonzo was heckled in Linda Mwananchi event: "There must Be respect"
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The Wiper leader turned inward, criticising leaders aligned with him for what he described as a weak show of solidarity at the Linda Mwananchi event. He noted that DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua arrived with a large, well-branded delegation while his own camp fell visibly short.
He urged his supporters to stop operating individually and move as a unified force, warning that political opportunities are never handed to anyone without effort: "You need to wake up and move as a team. You'll never be given anything on a silver platter."
Kalonzo ends speech abruptly after being heckled during Linda Mwananchi party launch: "Ama niwache"
The Wiper leader had been heckled at the Friday event after cautioning DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa against endorsing Linda Mwananchi's leader, Senator Edwin Sifuna's presidential ambitions, insisting the opposition's flag-bearer must be identified through the party's National Delegates Convention scheduled for November 13.
He also noted that Sifuna was only a party leader and not a presidential candidate, which drew chaos from the crowd, prompting the senator to intervene.
The former vice president also laid out his electoral preparedness plan, saying he would need 112,000 trusted agents positioned across every polling station in the country to safeguard the vote.
He challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to guarantee a free, fair, and credible election and separately criticised sections of the clergy for aligning with political interests rather than speaking against injustice and poor governance.
Pauline Njoroge elated after Rigathi Gachagua praises Linda Mwananchi's progress: "Tiny mustard seed"
Meanwhile, Wiper Party spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru criticised Sifuna after Kalonzo was heckled at the Linda Mwananchi event in Nairobi.
Njiru stated that neither psychopathy nor mediocrity will propel Sifuna to the presidency and insisted that there must be mutual respect.
The incident exposed divisions over who should lead the opposition into the 2027 election as the country awaits who the coalition will unveil to run in the upcoming elections.
Tears rolled down his cheeks as he slowly pulled up his sleeves to show me his swollen elbows. They jutted out like black tennis balls hanging on his frail hands.“My brother Caleb; they’ve been swollen for weeks. I fear I’m a dying man.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has concluded hearing a case over control of the “Linda” political identity, with two rival groups contesting registration of names ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The decision, scheduled for September 30, will determine whether the Registrar of Political Parties acted lawfully in rejecting Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi Movement while allowing Phenasio Thuku’s Liberty National Democratic Alliance, known as LINDA, to pursue registration.
The appeal was filed by Mr Sifuna’s allies Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo and political activist Pauline Njoroge.
They challenged the Registrar’s letter dated August 7, 2026, declining to reserve Linda Mwananchi Movement, or LMM.
Accusing the Registrar of bias, the appellants argued that the office had applied the law selectively by protecting Liberty National Democratic Alliance while rejecting Linda Mwananchi Movement despite the differences between the two names.
The appellants said they applied to reserve the name on June 4, 2026. The application was rejected on June 11 on grounds of “public interest”. They said the Registrar later agreed to reserve it after a meeting on August 4, only to reverse that position three days later.
Their lawyers Tony Moses Odera and Victor Olao said the later decision introduced LINDA as the reason for rejection, although the earlier letter had not mentioned the rival party.
The lawyers argued that the office omitted the words “registered political party” or “provisionally registered political party”, creating a misleading impression about LINDA’s status.
“The names are different. The name Linda Mwananchi Movement, abbreviated as LMM, and Liberty National Democratic Alliance, abbreviated as LNDA, do not sound the same. They are not spelled the same. Their symbols will not be the same. Their slogans will not be the same. As a result, we challenge the decision of August 7 and pray that the Tribunal allows our appeal,” said Mr Odera.
The appellants relied on lists of fully and provisionally registered parties, saying neither contained an outfit known as LINDA. They argued that “Linda Mwananchi Movement” and “Liberty National Democratic Alliance” were neither visually nor phonetically similar enough to confuse a reasonable voter.
Mr Odera said the words “Liberty”, “National”, “Democratic” and “Alliance” appeared in several existing party names. He argued that the Registrar could not fairly protect one combination of generic words while rejecting another.
“How can Liberty National Democratic Alliance be allowed to use those generic words, but when other people seek different names, they are told they cannot use them? That is a decision based on bias,” he argued.
The lawyers also challenged Liberty National Democratic Alliance’s standing, arguing that it was not fully or provisionally registered and therefore did not meet Section 16(1)(b) of the Political Parties Act. They said officials of the party abandoned the registration process last year and hence they could not be deemed to have acquired ownership of the outfit.
In addition, they said the Liberty National Democratic Alliance could not be abbreviated as LINDA but the correct abbreviation should be LNDA.
However, the Registrar’s lawyer defended the decision and said name reservations were handled on a first-come, first-served basis. She said LINDA’s application was made in 2024 and allowed by a letter dated November 15, 2024.
The Tribunal heard that the Registrar must prevent names or abbreviations likely to confuse voters or members of the public. Sections 4B and 8 of the Act, its advocate argued, applied even before a party obtained full registration.
“The Registrar need not wait until full registration to reject a confusing name,” Registrar’s advocate, Ms Mercy Kiptoo, argued, warning that parties could otherwise recruit members, open offices and build structures before being stopped.
For its part, Liberty National Democratic Alliance, said the appellants lacked locus standi because some correspondence was sent by advocates without clearly identifying the applicants. The lawyer, Mr Wilberforce Okello, said earlier applications for Linda-related names had been made in February 2026, giving his clients prior rights.
He maintained that party registration was a continuing process involving name reservation, provisional registration and full registration. He said “LINDA” was a distinctive political brand, not merely ordinary words.
The Tribunal questioned how a reservation could remain effective beyond the statutory 90-day period. Ms Kiptoo said administrative practice allowed continued engagement where an application had been submitted in time and documents were being corrected or resubmitted.
The panel chaired by Innocent Muganda also asked why the actual provisional-registration application had not been attached to the record. The Registrar’s lawyer referred to other documents forming part of the application, but acknowledged that the document was not indexed.
In reply, Mr Odera said the law provided no extension beyond 90 days. He argued that an earlier applicant who failed to act or appeal within the prescribed period could not indefinitely block later applicants.
