Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has responded sharply to COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli’s recent comments regarding his presidential ambitions, following Atwoli's suggestion that the senator assess his financial standing before pursuing the top job.
Atwoli, speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Wednesday, questioned Omtatah’s ability to finance a presidential campaign, advising him to carefully review his resources before entering the race.
“If he came to me, I would tell him, 'Let me see your budget. Are you going to depend on well-wishers, or what do you have as a person?'” Atwoli remarked. “When you're running for a political position, you must have saved. The world over, nobody wants to be associated with a poor person.”
Omtatah wasted no time in firing back, insisting that leadership is about vision, integrity, and a genuine commitment to serving the people—not wealth or financial privilege.
“Ordinary Kenyans, not wealth or privilege, are the backbone of any true movement for change,” Omtatah said in his response. “We will show that a people-powered campaign can inspire hope and deliver a brighter future for all.”
Omtatah, who announced his intention to run for president in 2027, has also set up a 10-member exploratory committee to begin preparations for his presidential campaign. He revealed that his campaign would focus on upholding the rule of law and ensuring the full implementation of the 2010 Constitution, which he believes has not been fully executed due to a lack of political will.
“Our agenda is centered on the complete implementation of the Constitution. It’s a powerful tool for modernizing this country,” Omtatah said. “Particularly the chapters on public finances, which provide clear guidance, have not been fully embraced. Political will has been missing, making the Constitution appear ineffective.”
Omtatah made it clear that his presidential bid would not rely on vast financial resources but would instead focus on mobilizing and engaging ordinary Kenyans in meaningful dialogue about the country’s future.
“We don’t have money to burn, but we have ideas and a solid programme,” he emphasized. “Our ideas resonate with the people, and we have a history of standing up for what is right.”
However, Atwoli did not hold back in offering advice to Omtatah, urging the senator to focus on building political alliances within the Western region, including consulting figures such as former Attorney General Amos Wako, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. Atwoli suggested that Omtatah should first secure strong regional support before pursuing a national campaign.
“Okiya must bring together the Western leadership,” Atwoli said. “He must seriously consult people like Amos Wako, Moses Wetang’ula, and Musalia Mudavadi. From there, let him have a caucus, and we will be able to tell him whether he will be able to make it or not.”
Despite the criticism, Atwoli expressed confidence in President William Ruto’s re-election prospects in 2027, citing the president’s strategic political appointments and widespread regional backing.
“With the direction Ruto has taken, that trajectory that he is now taking, he will be the President at 10 am in 2027,” Atwoli predicted, throwing his weight behind the incumbent’s second-term bid.
The exchange highlights the ongoing jockeying for influence ahead of the 2027 elections, with Omtatah standing firm in his belief that true leadership is based on the ability to inspire and serve, rather than financial resources or political connections.