{
  "id": 1864773,
  "title": "Kibwana addresses claims Sifuna is being sidelined by Babu Owino and Orengo",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/kibwana-addresses-claims-sifuna-is-being-sidelined-by-babu-owino-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T04:30:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/kibwana-addresses-claims-sifuna-is-being-sidelined-by-babu-owino-and-orengo"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has refuted allegations that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was being sidelined by fellow Linda Mwananchi principals James Orengo and Babu Owino during their recent visit to Homa Bay for party rallies. Kibwana dismissed the claims as \"cheap propaganda\" and emphasized that the Linda Mwananchi team remains united. He stated that Babu Owino protected his twin brother Sifuna during the visit to Homa Bay. The speculation of Sifuna being sidelined first emerged from former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who questioned why Sifuna was not endorsed for president by Orengo and Owino at the Linda Mwananchi rallies, despite being endorsed in Western Kenya. Malala also noted the lack of financial support for Sifuna in Homa Bay compared to Western Kenya, and raised concerns over leadership disputes within the Linda Mwananchi faction. He argued that the region could be \"hoodwinked\" by Nyanza leaders, as James Orengo has also claimed the title of party leader. Malala suggested that since Babu Owino is interested in the Nairobi gubernatorial seat, he should step aside and acknowledge Sifuna as the movement's presidential candidate. The debate has sparked reactions from Linda Mwananchi supporters who criticized Malala's claims.",
  "summary": "The former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has come out to defend Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over claims that he was sidelined by his Linda Mwananchi fellow principals, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, during their visit to Homa Bay for the movement’s rallies, which turned chaotic. In a statement shared on […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Kivutha Kibwana denies claims Sifuna is sidelined.",
    "James Orengo and Babu Owino maintain unity within Linda Mwananchi.",
    "Sifuna received less support and financial aid in Homa Bay."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}