COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has intensified his criticism of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s emerging 2027 presidential ambitions, warning that political figures encouraging the ODM politician to enter the race could eventually abandon him.
Atwoli made the remarks on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during an event organised by Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka, adding another layer to the increasingly heated debate over who could challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
The veteran trade unionist questioned whether Sifuna was ready to take on a presidential contest, arguing that the Nairobi senator should first concentrate on building a stronger political base before attempting to compete for the country’s highest office.
Atwoli’s warning to Sifuna
Atwoli claimed that some of the individuals encouraging Sifuna to pursue the presidency were not necessarily acting in his best interests.
“Those telling a young man like Sifuna to run for president are misleading him. They will leave him out in the cold, just as they did to Raila Odinga in 2022,” Atwoli said.
He further challenged Sifuna to seek his endorsement if he was genuinely determined to pursue the presidency, while questioning the wisdom of aggressively mobilising resources for a presidential campaign at this stage.
Atwoli’s comments are particularly significant because they come after he previously offered to help raise Sh1 billion for Sifuna’s presidential campaign.
In July, Atwoli said he could mobilise the money within a short period, arguing that established political networks and influential figures were essential for anyone seeking to become president of Kenya.
“Na wewe ukitaka kuwa president katika Kenya hii, mimi ndiye naweza kukusaidia kuraise hata one billion kwa dakika moja ili uwe president,”
Atwoli said at the time.
The COTU boss added:
“Sisi ndio tuna marafiki, na sisi ndio tunaweza kukusaidia uwe rais.”
Sifuna rejects Atwoli’s money
Sifuna, however, has publicly rejected the idea of depending on a wealthy political network to finance his presidential ambitions.
Responding to Atwoli in July, the Nairobi senator said he would rather receive small contributions from millions of ordinary Kenyans than become financially dependent on a single powerful individual.
“I don’t need your Sh.1 billion, Atwoli. I would rather be indebted to 10 million Kenyans because they gave me Sh10 each than to one person who gave me Sh1 billion because that’s where corruption begins,” Sifuna said.
Sifuna has subsequently maintained that his political journey should be driven by ordinary Kenyans rather than political financiers.
That position has become an important part of the emerging political contest, particularly as the Linda Mwananchi movement seeks to present itself as an alternative to Kenya’s traditional political establishment.
Sifuna leaves door open for State House bid
Although Sifuna has not always presented himself as an outright presidential candidate, he has increasingly left the possibility open.
In a July interview, he said he would not reject a presidential bid if Kenyans collectively decided that he should seek the country’s top office.
“If the people feel that this is the best way for us to proceed, we will not say no,” Sifuna said.
He explained that the decision would ultimately depend on consultations with supporters across the country.
Sifuna also acknowledged that mounting a presidential campaign is a major undertaking and said Linda Mwananchi needed to establish whether its support was strong enough nationally before making a final decision.
From ODM fallout to a new political vehicle
Sifuna’s presidential conversation has gathered momentum following his fallout with the Orange Democratic Movement.
The Nairobi senator was removed as ODM secretary-general and lost his Senate leadership position, developments that have coincided with his growing involvement in the Linda Mwananchi movement.
In July, the Kenya News Agency reported that Sifuna had signalled his intention to seek a new political vehicle capable of carrying his presidential ambitions to the ballot.
Speaking at a Linda Mwananchi rally in Bungoma, Sifuna asked supporters to back the creation of a new political vehicle.
“My people allow me to look for another political vehicle and support it because that is the vehicle that will take us to the ballot,” he said.
The development has intensified speculation over whether the movement could eventually transform from a pressure group into a fully fledged political organisation capable of fielding candidates across the country.
Gachagua camp also linked to Sifuna
Sifuna’s growing national profile has attracted support from politicians outside his traditional political circles.
Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is prepared to support Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.
The claim is significant because it suggests that Sifuna’s political project could potentially attract support beyond ODM and the traditional opposition establishment.
It also comes amid an increasingly fluid opposition landscape in which several leaders are positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 election.
Atwoli brings Uhuru into the equation
Atwoli’s latest remarks have also revived questions surrounding the alleged involvement of former President Uhuru Kenyatta in the emerging Sifuna project.
Speaking in Khwisero, Atwoli accused Uhuru of attempting to divide the Western Kenya voting bloc by supporting Sifuna.
He recalled the 2022 election and claimed Uhuru had failed to deliver promised financial support to Raila Odinga’s campaign.
“In Azimio, he (Uhuru) told us he will give Sh.400 million for agents, and he did not. He left Raila and now he says Sifuna will get money,” Atwoli said.
He further warned Western Kenya voters against what he described as attempts to manipulate the region politically.
Uhuru, however, has denied seeking an active political role.
During a memorial service for former Vice-President Michael Kijana Wamalwa in Kitale, he said he was not interested in seeking an elective position and urged politicians to concentrate on selling their manifestos rather than preventing rivals from campaigning.
Western Kenya becomes crucial battleground
The disagreement comes as Western Kenya increasingly emerges as one of the most coveted voting blocs ahead of 2027.
Recent political assessments have placed the region at the centre of intense competition, with both the government and opposition seeking to consolidate its support.
The region is estimated to account for roughly 3.2 million votes, making it a potentially decisive bloc in a closely fought presidential election.
Sifuna’s political activities in Western Kenya have therefore attracted considerable attention, particularly because he is seeking to build a national profile while also navigating competing interests within the Luhya political establishment.
Several media outlets have described his presidential project as having unsettled the established political order in the region, while other leaders have questioned whether he has sufficient political experience to compete for the presidency.
A growing political showdown
Atwoli’s latest intervention therefore places him firmly on the opposing side of Sifuna’s emerging presidential project.
For Sifuna, the challenge will be transforming the enthusiasm surrounding Linda Mwananchi into a nationwide political structure capable of competing against established parties, political machines and well-financed presidential campaigns.
For Atwoli, the argument is that political ambition must be accompanied by experience, networks and a solid political base.
The disagreement between the two men is unlikely to disappear soon, especially as the 2027 political contest begins taking shape.
With Sifuna insisting that ordinary Kenyans can finance and determine his political journey, while Atwoli continues questioning the forces behind his presidential ambitions, their public exchanges could become one of the defining political narratives as Kenya moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
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