Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has claimed that President William Ruto would easily defeat Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna if the opposition settled on the senator as its presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election. Amisi made these claims during a podcast, criticizing the people surrounding Sifuna, describing them as "political amateurs" who lack a proper understanding of political structures and campaign strategy. According to Amisi, it would be an easy run for Ruto.
Amisi argued that some of the people around Sifuna are more interested in capitalizing on the senator's growing popularity on social media than preparing him for a serious presidential contest. He claimed that their priority is to gain likes, attract followers, and build their own online profiles rather than strengthen Sifuna's presidential ambitions. Amisi stated that what's driving them is being famous on social media, and not making Sifuna a president.
The lawmaker further claimed that those surrounding the senator are not sufficiently concerned about what might happen to his political ambitions, arguing that online popularity alone cannot guarantee electoral success. Amisi also criticized what he viewed as a departure from the opposition's original push for generational change, claiming he had personally backed Sifuna as a new face capable of attracting younger voters.
Amisi claimed that he saw potential in Sifuna while the Nairobi senator was serving as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party secretary-general. According to Amisi, he encouraged Sifuna to take up a leading role in the campaign for generational change and the emergence of new political leaders. Amisi claimed that Sifuna was not initially the leading choice for the movement's presidential ambitions.
Amisi stated that many supporters had been backing Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. He claimed that he was the one who told Sifuna to take a leading role, saying, "I am the one who told him, 'Now you, because you are the SG of the party, nobody will ask why you.' Because Sifuna was nowhere. When we were starting, everyone was singing Babu's name."
The remarks come amid growing political activity within the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Sifuna emerging as a prominent figure in the Linda Mwananchi movement. Days after Sifuna unveiled The Equitable Party (TEP) as a political vehicle for the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of the 2027 elections, Amisi made his claims. He was presented as the party leader during its launch in Nairobi on October 4.
Sifuna said the movement intended to rebrand the party as the Linda Mwananchi Movement, although he indicated that it could retain the Equitable Party name if obstacles arose during the rebranding process. On October 7, the party's National Executive Council approved the proposed change of name, paving the way for the necessary administrative steps.
Key points
- President William Ruto would easily defeat Edwin Sifuna if the Nairobi senator were selected as the opposition’s presidential candidate.
- Amisi criticized people surrounding Sifuna, describing them as "political amateurs".
- Sifuna unveiled The Equitable Party (TEP) as a political vehicle for the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of the 2027 elections.
