Sifuna throws down State House gauntlet as Wetang’ula warns: ‘You can’t just wake up and be President’

The battle for Western Kenya’s political soul has burst into the open, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna stepping up his bid for the presidency even as National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula warned that inexperienced politicians should shelve their State House ambitions and build a record of public service first.

The sharp political exchange has opened a new front in the 2027 succession contest, with Sifuna seeking to rally the Luhya community behind his presidential ambitions while Wetang’ula pushes a markedly different strategy—backing President William Ruto and positioning Western Kenya for a possible shot at the presidency after the next election.

Sifuna, campaigning under the Linda Mwananchi movement, was in Kakamega at the weekend where he openly asked Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, whom he described as a political elder, to bless his presidential journey.

“I have a political elder here in Kakamega called Oparanya. I want to tell him that I have no ill feelings towards him, and I am asking him to bless me as I begin this journey of seeking to lead Kenya,” Sifuna said.

The Nairobi Senator conceded that he may lack the political experience associated with some presidential hopefuls but dismissed experience alone as the measure of a leader, arguing that wisdom and the ability to tackle Kenya’s problems mattered more.

“Oparanya, you know that Kenya’s problems are a result of Ruto. I do not have the kind of experience people talk about, but what a person needs is wisdom,” he said.

He then asked Oparanya to support his campaign to unseat Ruto in 2027.

The timing of Sifuna’s declaration was significant. In Bungoma, Wetang’ula was warning against precisely the kind of political leap Sifuna is attempting.

Speaking while hosting grassroots leaders from Bumula Constituency, the Speaker said the presidency was too demanding to be treated as an ambition that could be declared overnight.

“You cannot wake up today and say you want to be president without any track record,” Wetang’ula said.

Without naming Sifuna or another particular politician, Wetang’ula challenged young leaders seeking to dislodge Ruto to first accumulate political experience and demonstrate a record of leadership.

He invoked Kenya’s political history, saying Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto all passed through lengthy political careers before reaching State House.

“Our former presidents had to walk long political journeys that equipped them with diverse experience to occupy State House and manage the affairs of the country and beyond,” he said.

But Sifuna has found an influential ally in Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who wants the Luhya community to stop negotiating for the deputy presidency and instead make a direct bid for State House.

Natembeya endorsed Sifuna as the potential vehicle for that ambition, arguing that the community had repeatedly backed presidential candidates from other regions without securing the top job.

“The Luhya community is the second-largest ethnic community. Every time, we support other people. This time, it is the Luhya’s turn, and we should put a Luhya candidate on the ballot through Edwin Sifuna,” Natembeya said.

He also rejected the prospect of Western Kenya being offered the running-mate slot in the 2027 contest, saying such an arrangement could fragment the community’s political bargaining power.

“This running-mate position that Ruto is dangling, and the one offered to Oparanya, is meant to divide the Luhya vote, and we do not want it,” Natembeya said.

“Our older Luhya leaders have repeatedly been used to divide this community. We have had a deputy president before; this time, we want the presidency.”

Natembeya’s intervention adds weight to Sifuna’s attempt to transform his presidential ambition from a personal political project into a broader regional campaign.

But the strategy faces a formidable counter-mobilisation from Wetang’ula, who says the Luhya are closer than ever to producing a president—but appears to favour a longer political route to that goal.

The Speaker has argued that supporting Ruto could create political goodwill and position the community to succeed him, while also portraying himself as a leader with the experience and political networks needed to deliver the Luhya presidency.

The competing approaches are likely to intensify the political contest within Western Kenya, where the 2027 election could produce a major realignment of loyalties.

Sifuna is attempting to build a grassroots machine outside the traditional structures of the Orange Democratic Movement, using Linda Mwananchi to reach voters directly through rallies and community engagements.

His Kakamega tour was part of an expanding Western Kenya mobilisation programme that has taken the movement through Busia and Kakamega counties.

On Friday, the group toured Bumala, Murumba, Butula and Nambale in Busia. On Sunday, the caravan was scheduled to move through Mumias West, Navakholo, Malava and Lugari constituencies, with the day ending at Lumakanda.

The mobilisation has brought Sifuna into direct confrontation with some of his former political allies, including Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa.

Sifuna accused Barasa of turning against him after he helped campaign for the governor in the 2022 elections at the request of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“Wakati tulichaguliwa mimi nilitumwa hapa Kakamega na mheshimiwa Raila nikaambiwa nihakikishe Fernandes Barasa amechaguliwa kama gavana wa Kakamega. Lakini yule jamaa alinigeuka style ingine sijawai kuona,” Sifuna said.

He accused Barasa of subsequently treating him as an enemy and supporting his removal from ODM.

“Ameninyanyasa. Yeye ndo baadhi ya watu waliokuwa wakipiga makofi wakati nafukuzwa ndani ya chama cha ODM,” he said.

Sifuna went further, saying the political fate he predicts for Ruto should also await Barasa.

The emerging contest, however, is about more than personalities.

It is increasingly becoming a battle over whether Western Kenya should remain a kingmaker in national politics or attempt to produce the next president—and, if so, who should carry that ambition.

Wetang’ula used his Bungoma meeting to highlight Ruto administration projects in the region, including the construction of Kanduyi Stadium, the revival of Nzoia Sugar Factory and settlement of outstanding payments to farmers and workers.

He also announced Sh7 billion in the national budget for the planned dual carriageway along the Malaba-Eldoret highway, which is expected to ease congestion caused by heavy trucks transporting goods to neighbouring countries.

He backed Ruto’s Vision 2060 agenda and said its drafters, led by Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, were expected to unveil its roadmap this week.