Why Sifuna May Not Be Ready for Presidency - Waiguru

Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru has questioned whether Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has the political capacity and machinery to mount a successful presidential campaign.

Speaking on Sunday, October 18, Waiguru argued that the Nairobi Senator may need more time to prepare for the country’s top seat.

She cited the political decisions made by Sifuna’s allies as an example of what she considers a weakness in his ability to build the support base required to win a presidential election.

"Let me give you one example that made me know that Sifuna still needs time. When they were deciding on the party to run, his closest allies, who hold his hands up, he could not convince them to abandon their parties for his," she said.

Waiguru argued that a presidential candidate must demonstrate the ability to rally elected leaders and mobilise political resources before seeking the presidency.

She compared Sifuna’s situation with that of President William Ruto in 2022, saying the Head of State had managed to secure the support of a significant number of lawmakers when he was serving as Deputy President.

"That is a capacity issue. Ruto, when he was still DP, convinced over 100 MPs to go with him and help him with the presidency. Ruto has the money and the machinery, so if you don’t have it, what are you doing running for president?" she posed.

Waiguru also cast doubt on the possibility of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka deputising Sifuna, while warning against assuming that voters in the Mount Kenya region would automatically support the Senator.

"I do not see Kalonzo Musyoka deputizing Sifuna; that is my view. In Mt Kenya, don’t assume people will come out. Look at the challenges my brother Kindiki is having. 

"The urban Gen Zs may come out independently and say Sifuna, but not all of them. I don’t have anything personal against him, but I know he will not beat William Ruto," she added.

Waiguru further questioned whether Sifuna’s apparent appeal among online audiences would be enough to secure votes, noting that electoral mobilisation requires more than visibility on social media platforms.

"It’s not easy to translate mobilization on social media into votes; those are two different things. If you come to Mt Kenya and you look at the ratings, you will be surprised that Ruto is higher than Sifuna," she further said.

This comes a week after Ruto claimed Sifuna launched The Equitable Party (TEP) then went straight to a bar. 

Speaking on Wednesday, October 14, he also alleged the last time Sifuna was seen in public was with Congolese musician Koffi Olomide and a table full of expensive alcohol. 

"I saw Mr. Empty launch a party called The Empty Party, then head straight to a bar. The last time we saw him, he was with Koffi Olomide, and the table was full of that expensive liquor with two names," he said. 

Ruto went on to ridicule Sifuna and his party, describing them as both ‘empty’. 

"The man himself is empty, the party is empty, and all that is left is alcohol. Now he is asking women to send him Ksh10 each. So, where will you take that party? Is it stuck in a bar, or where is it?" he posed.