By Anderson Ojwang
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has told COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli that he doesn’t have a password to the presidency.
Sifuna said he doesn’t want Atwoli’s password to win the presidency and trusts in God to deliver his ambition.
He wondered why Atwoli has failed to give the password to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi in order for them to become president.
“Why didn’t you give the password to your brother-in-law, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, in the 2022 general elections instead of asking us to cut trees in Sugoi, the home turf of President William Ruto?” he said.
Sifuna accused Atwoli of blocking the political path of emerging young politicians and leaders instead of mentoring them for the future.
“Raila mentored Sifuna and Babu Owino among others, but some elders, instead of mentoring the young, are blocking their growth. When did Atwoli get the password to the presidency, and why has he been silent about the password? Very unfortunate,” he said.
The Bukhungu III
After the failed prediction in the 2022 presidential election that UDA presidential candidate William Ruto would lose to the Azimio La Umoja candidate, the late Raila Odinga, Atwoli is back with another declaration.
From an infamous warning slogan “kateni mti” by the toothless Atwoli to Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate Ruto in the 2022 general elections, to eating humble pie, the SG is back again.
This time, Atwoli is breathing fire and has called for Bukhungu III to lock Luhya votes from the opposition for President Ruto in next year’s general election.
I hold the key to the Luhya community
Atwoli claimed that he holds the key to the Luhya community and no leader from the region can emerge without his blessings.
Atwoli also warned that nobody can pretend to lead the Luhya community without him knowing and blessing.
“I want to tell you that someone cannot say he wants to be the leader of the Luhya community without me knowing. I want to be honest with you,” he said.
Atwoli said Bukhungu III will be a turning point in the Luhya community’s political dispensation.
“I want to warn and tell you there is Bukhungu III coming up in December 26th of 2026. If you want to traverse Western Kenya, you are free to do so, but after 26th, we will lock the region. We will lock it up,” he said.
The SG said President Ruto had initiated several development projects in Luhya land and that they could not afford to support the opposition.
“Look at the various development programmes and the billions of shillings pumped into them by the government. Look at our Kakamega Stadium and the roads. Do not join the group propagating the Tawe movement,” he said.
Financial might
Atwoli said a presidential bid required financial might and a candidate cannot base his candidature on financial support from a single quarter.
“The presidency requires money, and if you want to be president in this country, it is me who will help you raise even Sh1 billion in a minute. How can you seek the presidency with money that has been donated to you? It is us who have friends, and it is us who can help you become president. Your personal money cannot make one president,” he said.
He claimed some of the Luhya leaders were being sponsored by outsiders to divide the Luhya community and the vote block.
“Some people have been sponsored by some political quarters, and we know them. You cannot come to divide the Luhya community because you have been sent for that mission,” he said.
But veteran businessman and philanthropist Ibrahim Ambwere dismissed claims that financial resources will determine the outcome of Kenya’s 2027 presidential election, insisting that Sifuna should not be judged by the size of his campaign war chest.
Ambwere responded to comments attributed to Atwoli questioning Sifuna’s financial ability to mount a credible presidential campaign.
Ambwere urged Atwoli to steer clear of the debate over campaign financing, arguing that money should never be used as the primary measure of a candidate’s suitability for leadership.
“If campaign money is the problem, I am ready to meet that bill. Senator Sifuna should not be judged on the size of his wallet but on the strength of his leadership and the support of Kenyans,” Ambwere said.
The businessman further maintained that Sifuna’s lack of personal wealth should not be used to discourage his presidential ambitions.
“You keep saying Sifuna has no money to run a presidential campaign. Drop that debate. Money is not everything. It is wananchi who elect their leaders,” he said.
Ambwere said that if campaign financing is Atwoli’s only concern, then it should no longer be an issue because he is prepared to bankroll Sifuna’s presidential bid if necessary.
The Luhya declaration, June 26th
Last Monday in Trans Nzoia, Governor George Natembeya said the homecoming rally for the Nairobi Senator in Bungoma on June 26th will be a turning point in the community’s politics.
Former MP Fred Gumo has declared that it was time the Luhya community rallied behind Sifuna, and those opposed to him will be swept away.
“In 2002, when the late Wamalwa Kijana was the late Mwai Kibaki’s running mate, those who were opposed to him, including Musalia Mudavadi, were defeated in the elections,” he said.
Natembeya said this Sunday in Bungoma County will mark a new political dispensation for the Luhya community.
A homecoming for Sifuna and a day Luhya elders and the community will converge to bless and release him to the world to seek the presidency.
He said the Bungoma homecoming rally will be used to unveil Sifuna’s presidential intent and undergo blessing from the community elders and leadership.
“We will be in Bungoma for a homecoming. All leaders will converge in Bungoma on that day. In Bungoma, the elders will bless our son, Sifuna, to go out in search of the presidency,” he said.
