Linda Mwananchi chief Edwin Sifuna should shelve his presidential ambitions until 2032 because he stands very little chance of beating President William Ruto in 2027.
Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula said on Saturday that Sifuna should evaluate his chances before entering the race.
Savula, who is the deputy co-ordinator of Ruto’s re-election campaign in Western Kenya, asked Sifuna to drop his bid and instead wait for Ruto to complete his second and final term in office.
He said most people posing as Sifuna’s allies were just using him for personal political gains and do not care about his political future.
“Ruto has brought the Presidency closer to us here in Turbo, close to us. Let us support him in 2027 and 2032 we front one of our own and Sifuna stands a better chance,” Savula said.
He was addressing mourners during the funeral of Juliana Kasilly in Kabuchai constituency, Bungoma county. Juliana was the mother-in-law of Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa.
The funeral was attended by Industrialisation PS Juma Mukwana and former MPs Bifwoli Wakoli and John Munyasia. Kakamega County Assembly Speaker James Namatsi and Kakamega County Secretary Lawrence Omuhaka were also present.
But the Sifuna team, led by Kapuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, said Ruto will become Kenya’s first president to serve one term.
Majimbo said Sifuna is the new kid on the block and is poised to take over the presidency in 2027.
The lawmaker said the time for the Luhya community to ascend to national leadership has come.
“It is now for a president from Western through Sifuna or never. We are marketing our son Sifuna,” Majimbo said.
Savula urged Lubyas to act and work smart by avoiding being used by other communities to help them return to power.
“In 1992, Luhyas said Moi must go; he didn’t go, and when he left office in 2002, the seat went to Mt Kenya. Mt Kenya retained the seat for 20 years through Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta,” he said.
“We must be clever as a community to position ourselves strategically for President Ruto’s succession.”
