Nasa co-principal Moses Wetangula address the media at Okoa Kenya offices in Nairobi on September 22, 2017. SALATON NJAU (NAIROBI)
BUNGOMA, Kenya — National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has sparked intense political debate across the country after dismissing Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s prospects for the presidency.
Speaking to residents in Bungoma County, Wetangula took a direct swipe at Sifuna’s early political maneuvers. His remarks have sent shockwaves through the political landscape, particularly rattling members of the opposition and the Linda Mwanainchi initiative.
For months, Senator Sifuna has been traversing various counties, holding high-profile meetings with the public. Many political analysts view these tours as foundational steps toward launching a 2027 presidential bid.
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However, Wetangula firmly poured cold water on these ambitions, declaring that Sifuna is not ready to lead the nation and must wait his turn.
To anchor his argument, the veteran politician provided a historical lesson on political patience, drawing comparisons to two of Kenya’s heads of state:
- The Late President Daniel arap Moi: Wetangula pointed out that Moi first joined parliament in the 1950s but had to wait nearly three decades before assuming the presidency in 1978.
- President William Ruto: He noted that Ruto entered parliament as a first-time lawmaker in 1997, yet he only clinched the presidency 25 years later, in 2022.
- Using this timeline, Wetangula argued that it is politically unrealistic for Sifuna, who only entered parliament in 2022, to expect to leap directly to the nation’s top office by the 2027 general election.
- The Speaker’s pronouncement serves as a stark reminder of the long-game required in Kenyan politics, signaling a fierce battle ahead for the Western region’s vote as alignment for the next general election intensifies. Sifuna’s camp has yet to issue an official response to the Speaker’s dismissal.
Source: Video.
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