NAIROBI, Kenya — Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has told Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna that his presidential ambitions are premature, arguing that the lawmaker needs more political experience, structures and national support before seeking the presidency.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s Sunday Live, Atwoli said Sifuna was among a new generation of politicians with a future in national leadership but maintained that he was not ready to pursue the presidency now.
“You must suffer looking for leadership. You must know how economy is crafted. You must be able to understand the problems Kenyans are having,” Atwoli told host Jeff Koinange.
Atwoli: Sifuna’s Time Is Not Now
Atwoli said Sifuna should first go through what he described as stages of political leadership before attempting to become president.
He argued that being a popular senator or attracting large crowds at political rallies was not enough to mount a successful presidential campaign.
“Sifuna, one-term Senator you want to become a president? Not in Africa,” Atwoli said, adding that the Nairobi senator needed to build experience and understand the challenges facing ordinary Kenyans.
Atwoli nevertheless described Sifuna as a future leader and said he liked the political mobilisation he was undertaking.
“I like what Sifuna is doing as a young person… These are future leaders. They are trying to market themselves. Their time is not now,” he said in a separate interview on Sunday.
‘You Need Structures and Strategy’
The COTU boss also challenged Sifuna’s political strategy, saying presidential campaigns require organised structures and broad networks.
“My friend, you can’t win an election without structures and strategy. This is what I’m telling you,” Atwoli said.
He argued that Sifuna would need support from political leaders, county governments, business interests and established national networks.
Atwoli cited former opposition leader Raila Odinga’s extensive political networks as an example, saying even such networks had not been enough to secure the presidency.
He also compared Sifuna’s current popularity with that of several influential politicians from previous political eras, including Kenneth Matiba, Paul Ngei, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Bildad Kagia and Ronald Ngala.
Atwoli Questions Linda Mwananchi Fundraising
Atwoli also criticised the grassroots fundraising model associated with Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement.
He questioned whether small contributions collected from markets could provide the financial base required for a presidential campaign.
“Going to the markets with buckets, taking Sh5 from the old women. In Kenya, you cannot use money contributed from markets to become a president,” Atwoli said.
He compared the strategy with fundraising approaches associated with former US President Barack Obama, but argued that Kenya’s political environment was different from that of the United States.
Sifuna has defended the grassroots model, saying he would rather receive small contributions from many ordinary Kenyans than depend on wealthy political financiers.
Linda Mwananchi Builds National Profile
Sifuna has continued touring different parts of the country through Linda Mwananchi as the movement seeks to build a national political presence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In July, the movement reported collecting more than Sh1.6 million during a Western Kenya tour, with contributions coming through cash and M-Pesa from thousands of supporters.
The movement also held a major mobilisation tour in Nairobi on September 13, visiting markets including Marikiti, Gikomba and Burma before proceeding to Jacaranda Grounds.
Sifuna has not formally declared his intention to run for president, although his political activities and public statements have fuelled speculation about a possible 2027 bid.
Fundraising Comes Under Legal Scrutiny
The movement’s fundraising strategy has also attracted a legal challenge.
A Kenyan voter, Alan Masakhalia, who says he contributed Sh55 to the Linda Mwananchi fundraising campaign, has filed a petition at the High Court seeking an account of funds collected through Paybill number 3033049 and other channels.
The petitioner wants details of the money received and how it has been spent. The case does not establish wrongdoing by Sifuna or Linda Mwananchi.
