Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday made a light-hearted reference to claims linking him to the sponsorship of the Linda Mwananchi movement.

This was after supporters erupted in cheers when he mentioned Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during the memorial service for former Vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa in Kitale.

Uhuru was listing political leaders while stressing that the decision on who would become Kenya’s next president would ultimately rest with voters in the 2027 General Election.

He said Kenyans would be free to choose whoever they wanted as president.

However, the crowd broke into loud cheers and ululations when Uhuru mentioned Sifuna’s name, prompting the former President to caution them against fuelling claims that he was backing the Nairobi senator politically.

“Jameni chungeni, sitaki kuitwa sponsor,” Uhuru said, drawing laughter from the audience.

The remark appeared to be a response to the political debate surrounding claims by President William Ruto and some of his allies that Uhuru is financing opposition politicians, including figures associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement.

Ruto has repeatedly alleged that Uhuru is backing politicians positioning themselves against his re-election bid, while describing Sifuna and other opposition figures as being linked to the former President.

Sifuna, however, has consistently denied claims that Uhuru is funding the Linda Mwananchi movement, maintaining that the group relies on support and contributions from ordinary Kenyans and other well-wishers.

Uhuru’s comments came during the 23rd memorial service for Wamalwa, held in Kitale, Trans Nzoia county, where political leaders gathered to honour the former Vice President’s legacy.

The brief exchange added a lighter moment to the memorial as Uhuru underscored that, regardless of the political leaders currently positioning themselves for 2027, the final decision on Kenya’s next president would lie with voters.

The former President’s “sponsor” remark is likely to add fresh fuel to the ongoing political debate over his alleged role in financing opposition activities, claims that he and leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement have denied.