COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has weighed into the growing political debate surrounding the 2027 General Election, issuing a blunt warning to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i while downplaying former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s political influence. Atwoli’s remarks reflect a hard political reality check as alliances begin to take shape long before the next election cycle.
According to Atwoli, even if Uhuru Kenyatta were to make a dramatic comeback and vie for the presidency again in 2027, he would still be unable to defeat President William Ruto. He argued that the political landscape has shifted significantly, with Ruto firmly entrenching himself as a dominant force whose grassroots machinery and state power make him extremely difficult to unseat.
Turning his attention to Matiang’i, Atwoli cautioned the former CS against placing too much faith in Uhuru’s backing. He questioned the logic of believing Uhuru could successfully install Matiang’i as president when he failed to do so for Raila Odinga in 2022, despite openly campaigning for him and deploying the full weight of the state. In Atwoli’s view, Uhuru’s inability to deliver the presidency to Raila serves as clear evidence that his political clout has significantly diminished.
Atwoli’s statement carries particular weight given his long history in Kenya’s political and labor movements, where he has often played the role of kingmaker or power broker. His comments suggest a belief that personal endorsements and elite alliances are no longer sufficient to guarantee electoral victory, especially in an era where voter behavior is increasingly shaped by economic realities and direct political messaging.
The remarks also expose the challenges facing Matiang’i as he is increasingly mentioned as a potential opposition flagbearer. Atwoli implied that hitching one’s ambitions to past political heavyweights without building an independent support base could prove costly. For Matiang’i, the warning underscores the need for caution, strategy, and political realism rather than reliance on legacy power.
Ultimately, Atwoli’s comments reinforce a broader narrative emerging in Kenyan politics: that the road to State House is no longer controlled by former presidents or political godfathers alone. As 2027 approaches, aspirants may be forced to confront an uncomfortable truth—that popularity, structure, and timing matter more than endorsements, and that William Ruto remains the man to beat.
