The opposition is taking its fight back to the streets. A fiery faction of ODM, led by the combative Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, has kicked off the "Linda Mwananchi" tours in Busia, declaring a total war on the government’s punitive economic policies.

While the top brass of the Azimio coalition seems paralyzed by indecision, a new, younger, and more radical brigade has emerged to fill the vacuum. Dubbed "Linda Mwananchi" (Protect the Citizen), this initiative is not just a political rally; it is a grassroots revolt against the high cost of living that is crushing the Kenyan soul. Launching in Busia this weekend, the faction made it clear that they are done waiting for "dialogue" that yields no fruit.

This tour represents a significant shift in ODM’s strategy. It signals a move away from the boardroom deals that have characterized recent politics, returning to the mass action tactics that have historically been the party’s strength. Sifuna, accompanied by like-minded leaders, is positioning himself as the voice of the voiceless, directly challenging the Ruto administration’s narrative of economic recovery.

Resolutions for the People

The Busia rally was electric, charged with the frustration of a populace tired of empty promises. The leaders issued a set of hard-hitting resolutions, demanding immediate government action on key issues affecting the common man.

• No to New Taxes: The brigade categorically rejected any new tax proposals, urging Kenyans to resist what they termed "economic slavery."
• The Health Crisis: They highlighted the collapsing healthcare system, calling out the corruption in the insurance sector that has left millions vulnerable.
• Defending Devolution: Sifuna accused the central government of systematically starving counties of funds to kill devolution, a cornerstone of the 2010 Constitution. "We will not watch as they take us back to the dark days of centralization," he roared.

A Party Within a Party?

The "Linda Mwananchi" tour also exposes the internal dynamics of ODM. With some senior leaders seemingly compromised or quiet, this faction is effectively staking a claim for the party’s future. Ruth Odinga, the Kisumu Woman Representative, was present to defend the movement, dismissing claims that these rallies are sponsored by external forces.

"We are sponsored by the pain of the people," she declared. The tour is set to move across the country, aiming to build a national wave of resistance. For the government, this is a headache that won’t go away. For the people of Busia, it was a reminder that they have not been forgotten.

As the caravan moves to the next county, the message is simple: The honeymoon is over, and the real opposition has finally arrived.