The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has advised Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah to prioritize building regional alliances and ensuring financial readiness before pursuing his presidential ambitions.
Speaking during Citizen TV’s JKLive on Wednesday November 27, 2024, Atwoli advised Omtatah to collaborate with key Western Kenya leaders, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, to affiliate his backing.
“Okiya must bring the Western leadership together,” Atwoli said. “He must seriously consult people like Amos Wako, move to Bungoma and consult people like Moses Wetang’ula, and look for Mudavadi. From there, let him have a caucus, and we will be able to tell him whether he will make it or not.”
“You can do thousands and thousands of research, but there are some key elements of political achievements you must be told to do,” he added.
Atwoli also highlighted the importance of financial preparation, urging Omtatah to assess his campaign resources.
“If he came to me, I would tell him, let me see your budget. Are you going to depend on well-wishers, or what do you have as a person? When you are emerging for a political position, you must have saved. The world over, nobody wants to be associated with a poor person,” he cautioned.
Despite Atwoli’s skepticism, Omtatah remains optimistic about his chances. On Wednesday, the Busia senator launched his exploratory campaign, unveiling a 10-member team led by Mary Kathomi to gauge his popularity and strategize for the 2027 general election.
“My focus will not waver,” Omtatah said. “I know there is a fight to dislodge President William Ruto, and I am ready.”
He positioned himself as an alternative to the Kenya Kwanza administration, which he accused of failing Kenyans, and called on citizens to support his cause.
