Meet the Young Women Fighting Online Battles for Sifuna Ahead of 2027

Two young women aligned with the Linda Mwananchi movement have emerged as some of its most vocal online defenders of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, using social media to push back on his critics and build support for his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Charity Wambui Waweru, popularly known as Gen Z Baddie, and Abigael Gikonyo, who goes by Abbie Zuena, say their activism reflects a wider contest for political influence online, where supporters and opponents of leaders increasingly fight for attention and voters.

Waweru says her backing for Sifuna is rooted in what she describes as his consistency and willingness to challenge political leaders, even at personal cost.

“If there’s any politician in this country who has been consistent by standing with the people and for the people, it has to be Edwin Sifuna,” she says, noting his readiness to publicly disagree with his own political leadership.

She adds that she was drawn to the movement by its emphasis on constitutionalism and accountability, arguing that young people need leaders who admit mistakes and stand up for citizens.

Her involvement has not come without risk, as she has faced online harassment and concerns for her safety. Referring to the Gen Z protests, she says she wants to ensure that the deaths of young people in 2024 and 2025 count.

Zuena says her own political activism began before she became closely associated with Sifuna. She initially used social media to challenge government policies, question public spending and demand accountability over the 2024 Finance Bill.

She says Sifuna’s continued criticism of the government, and his readiness to engage young people, made him a leader she could identify with at a time when many felt politically unrepresented.

She describes him as someone who reflects the leadership young Kenyans want, associated with integrity, consistency and representation.

The women acknowledge that the movement’s largely voluntary online base sometimes engages in uncoordinated attacks on perceived critics, including fellow opposition figures.

They say this partly reflects supporters’ determination to protect Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.

They insist, however, that the activism goes beyond online exchanges. Zuena argues that digital campaigns can mobilise people for rallies, civic education and voter registration.

“We have cracked the code, mobilising digitally and transitioning that into ground networks,” she says, dismissing claims that online supporters cannot convert their influence into votes.

At the unveiling of The Equitable Party, led by Sifuna, Zuena admitted that supporters sometimes go too far when defending their preferred leaders, but said their shared objective remains political change.

“Sometimes we fight too much, we err, but the goal is one, to take Ruto home and to give you guys power,” she said.

As the 2027 elections approach, the two are betting that the networks built online can shape political conversations beyond screens and into polling stations.

Link; https://epaper.peopledaily.digital/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=People Daily&pubid=2d11dca3-13c2-4add-9dc1-cee781ba2925

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