Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna embraces Naliaka, a supporter who hugged a tree for 24-hours in solidarity with the movement / HANDOUT
A Bungoma woman who captured national attention after hugging a tree for more than 24 hours in support of the Linda Mwananchi Movement has received more than Sh100,000 from the outfit led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Linda Mwananchi leaders donated and presented the cash to Naliaka, whose unusual act of support had attracted widespread attention on social media.
Photos shared by the movement showed Sifuna embracing Naliaka and handing over the money as supporters applauded her commitment to the cause.
Sifuna asked his security to take over the protection of Naliaka to keep the donated money safe.
"Naliaka waited 72+ hours for this. Worth it," Linda Mwananchi said.
Naliaka became an online sensation after she remained embracing a tree for more than a day, saying the gesture was meant to express her unwavering support for Linda Mwananchi.
The movement said the cash contribution was a token of appreciation for her dedication and sacrifice.
The fundraiser surpassed Sh100, 000 with leaders encouraging
supporters to continue standing together in advancing the movement's agenda.
Residents of Kiminini in Trans Nzoia county turned a roadside political rally into a fundraising drive on Sunday after making spontaneous cash contributions to the Linda Mwananchi Movement led by Sifuna.
Supporters donated amounts ranging from Sh20 coins to Sh50 notes and other small denominations as they thronged Sifuna's convoy in a show of support for his political movement.
Videos circulating on social media showed residents making their way through the crowd to reach Sifuna's vehicle, with many handing over the little money they had to support the movement's activities.
Receiving the donations, Sifuna said the gesture demonstrated that his political movement would be financed by ordinary Kenyans rather than wealthy individuals seeking influence.
"They said one cannot be president in this country without money. I would rather be indebted to the people giving me as little as Sh10 than be indebted to one person who will give me Sh10 million," Sifuna told supporters.
He argued that reliance on a handful of wealthy financiers often compromises leaders once they assume office.
"Those people will give you Sh10 million and then follow us when we take over the leadership of the country and demand to be given huge contracts," he said.
"If you give them the job, they will not do it. They will not build any road for you," he added.
Sifuna maintained that the Linda Mwananchi Movement would continue to rely on small donations from supporters across the country, saying grassroots contributions were more valuable than large donations from influential individuals.
As part of the fundraising drive, the former Jubilee official Pauline Njoroge appealed to supporters to contribute as little as Sh10 to help finance the movement's logistics and nationwide mobilisation activities.
