Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has dismissed the prospect of former President Uhuru Kenyatta mounting a successful political comeback in the 2027 general elections.
This is as he insisted that even a constitutional amendment allowing him to run would not tilt the scales against President William Ruto.
Speaking during a media interview on Wednesday, Atwoli argued that the political terrain has fundamentally shifted since the 2022 polls, leaving Uhuru with little chance of defeating his successor should he seek to return to the ballot.
His remarks come amid renewed debate on a possible constitutional referendum proposed to coincide with the 2027 elections.
According to Atwoli, while a constitutional amendment could theoretically reopen the door for Uhuru to vie, it would not translate into electoral victory.
He stressed that his position was not an endorsement of constitutional changes, but rather a realistic assessment of Kenya’s current political dynamics.
“As things stand, let the Constitution be amended as some people are proposing. I am not for the amendment, but if the Constitution was to be amended now, Uhuru would be free to vie for the presidency and I can tell you for free he cannot beat William Ruto. He can’t,” Atwoli said.
The veteran trade unionist further reflected on his own political miscalculations in the past, acknowledging that his confidence ahead of the 2022 elections, when he publicly predicted Ruto’s defeat, did not materialise.
He said the outcome taught him a lesson about political certainty and the need to respect democratic outcomes.
“Unlike my earlier sentiments when I said they would beat him in the 2022 elections, which did not happen, I came to the realisation of moving from the known to the unknown,” Atwoli noted.
He emphasised the importance of accepting electoral defeat, drawing parallels with sportsmanship.
According to Atwoli, Kenya’s democracy can only mature if political actors learn to concede loss and move forward.
“After elections, just like Baba, you must accept that you were defeated and move on. This is how democracy works. You can’t hold on to a position. After elections, you greet each other just like football,” he said.
Atwoli’s comments intersect with ongoing discussions around a proposed constitutional referendum.
Earlier in December 2025, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi floated the idea of holding a referendum alongside the 2027 General Election, arguing that it would help safeguard the electoral process and address what he termed as longstanding constitutional gaps.
Mudavadi said the referendum would be aimed at strengthening governance structures and preventing recurrent disputes that have characterised previous elections.
“Allow me to state without fear of contradiction that there is an imperative need for a constitutional review 15 years after the promulgation of the 2010 Katiba. As a country, we are staring at a massive legal crisis where the 2027 election could be nullified before it even begins,” Mudavadi said.
However, the proposal has sparked mixed reactions across the political divide, with critics warning against constitutional tinkering driven by political expediency.
by JAMES GICHIGI
