Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has claimed that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's presidential bid is being driven by outside forces seeking to split Western Kenya's vote, sparking a fresh war of words over the region's 2027 loyalties.

Atwoli, a long-time ally of President William Ruto, questioned why the Linda Mwananchi Movement leader was mobilising in Western Kenya while urging residents to ignore leaders like him. "We must ask ourselves, who is using our son? Who has sent him?" he said, as reported by The Star and Capital FM.

"Someone is sending Sifuna to split Western votes so that in 2032 we are unable to field a presidential candidate and get support from other parts of the country," Atwoli claimed, without offering evidence. Sifuna had not responded to the claims by the time of publication.

Atwoli: Back Ruto

The COTU boss urged Western residents to rally behind Ruto's re-election, claiming the President already has more than 10 million votes from regions including the Coast, Nyanza, North Eastern and the Rift Valley.

"Let us not allow Ruto to be re-elected without the votes from Western Kenya. Let no one mislead you into supporting another presidential candidate," he said. He also described Sifuna as not yet ready to lead the country.

Atwoli has called a regional meeting at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega on December 26.

Gachagua: 'Tell him that you are Sifuna'

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua responded by urging Western residents to turn up at the Bukhungu meeting and use it to show support for Sifuna instead.

"Wake up early and go to the stadium, but when he arrives, tell him that you are Sifuna," Gachagua said, according to Capital FM. He defended Sifuna's right to seek the presidency and asked why the senator's supporters stayed silent when presidential aide Farouk Kibet criticised him.

Gachagua also challenged Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Speaker Moses Wetang'ula to account for what they had delivered to the region, including a promised 1,000km of tarmac roads.

Malala renews Kalonzo plea

Meanwhile, DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala stood by his call for Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to back Sifuna as the United Opposition's flagbearer. "I am pleading, on behalf of our son Edwin Sifuna, that he be the United Opposition's flag bearer," Malala said, The Star reported, adding that he did not despise Kalonzo and that the former Vice President could guide a younger president.

Gachagua has distanced the party from Malala's position, saying the DCP deputy leader is not the party's spokesman and was expressing a personal opinion.

Linda Mwananchi heads to villages

Sifuna's movement, which was recently turned into a political party, says it will now take its campaign to smaller towns, wards and villages. Communications head Pauline Njoroge said the senator would lead the push, with the aim of establishing a presence in every part of the country.

Photos: The Star; Wikimedia Commons/LuffyDe (CC0). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.