A photo collage of Linda Mwananchi's Edwin Sifuna and COTU SG Francis Atwoli. Photo/Courtesy

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has dismissed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, arguing that the lawmaker is not yet prepared to lead the country.

Speaking during a funeral service in Kanduyi, Bungoma County, Atwoli cautioned young politicians against pursuing leadership without building the political networks needed to sustain a national campaign.

He criticised Sifuna’s political engagements, particularly his association with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whom he accused of pursuing business interests through politics.

“Hao watoto wanaokuja katika siasa, wanafanya siasa ya biashara na itaangusha jamii. Msipochunga wanauza nyinyi wholesale,” Atwoli said.

Atwoli warned that political alliances driven by personal interests could undermine the interests of the communities they claim to represent, urging voters to exercise caution as the country moves towards the 2027 General Election.

"Juzi mliskia kijana mdogo ambaye sisi tumezaa na mimi nimesema atakuwa kiongozi huko mbele. Anaenda kwa Wamunyoro. Ukipeleka waluhya huko, kabla chakula ifike huko Western itakuwa imeisha. Lazima mfikirie sana ni wapi tunaenda," Atwoli stated.

The COTU boss also reaffirmed his support for Ruto’s re-election, citing the President’s development record as the basis for his decision to back the Kenya Kwanza administration for another term.

During a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Western Region aspirants’ engagement, the COTU SG acknowledged Sifuna’s growing national profile but maintained that he needed to build a stronger political team before pursuing the country’s top office.

“I recognise all our sons who are making strides in top leadership, the likes of Wetangula and Wycliffe Oparanya. Even if the time is not now, I’ll say to you, the time is not now for Sifuna,” Atwoli said on September 5, 2026.

He argued that aspiring presidential candidates needed adequate preparation and a reliable political network to mount a competitive national campaign.

“I must be sincere and honest and tell him, his time is not now. Huwezi kuanza kuenda round kabla hujaprepare ile team unatembea nayo. Ata hamjafika quarter ya safari yenu, mwenzenu anasema anataka presidency. You can see how unprepared they are,” he added.

The leaders discussed their political positions and the possibility of working together ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Watu wengine wanatubandika majina but we are not as complicated as it is said. We are that simple. Let nobody tell you we are tribal, we’re not. Because when we supported President William Ruto, he was a Kalenjin. He was not Kamau and he was not Njoroge,” Gachagua said during the meeting.

The emerging cooperation between the two camps comes as opposition leaders explore the possibility of settling on a single presidential candidate to challenge Ruto in 2027.

Aside from Sifuna, Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka, Jubilee's Fred Matiang’i and Gachagua are among the prominent figures associated with the opposition’s presidential ambitions.

The camps are reportedly considering ways to coordinate their campaigns and establish a common position on the presidential race, although the final arrangement remains unsettled.