Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has fired back at COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli following his comments on his presidential ambitions.
Atwoli had on Wednesday criticised the Senator's financial standing, advising him to assess his budget and resources before pursuing a presidential bid.
"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?'" Atwoli said.
"When you're running for a political position, you must have saved. The world over, nobody wants to be associated with a poor person."
In his rebuttal, Omtatah emphasised that leadership is rooted in vision, integrity and the commitment to serve, rather than wealth and privilege.
"Ordinary Kenyans, not wealth or privilege, are the backbone of any true movement for change," he said.
"We will demonstrate that a people-powered campaign can inspire hope and deliver a brighter future for all."
On Wednesday, Omtatah unveiled his 10-member presidential exploratory committee shortly after he announced his intention to run for the executive seat in 2027.
He prioritised the rule of law and full implementation of the 2010 Constitution.
Omtatah said the country’s progress has been hindered by a lack of political will to implement constitutional provisions.
“Our agenda is centred on the total implementation of the Constitution. It’s a powerful tool for modernising this country,” he said.
“Specific chapters, particularly on public finances, provide clear guidance, but political will has been missing, making the Constitution appear ineffective.”
He emphasised the importance of a people-driven campaign, adding that it would not rely on huge financial resources but instead focus on engaging Kenyans in meaningful discussions.
“We don’t have money to burn, but we have ideas and a solid programme. Our ideas resonate with the people, and we have a history of standing up for what is right,” he said.
His bid and dream for a better Kenya were however trampled upon by the COTU SG, during his interview with Citizen TV.
Atwoli said the Senator should focus on building alliances with regional leaders and ensuring financial readiness ahead of the elections in 2027.
“Okiyah must bring the Western leadership together,” said Atwoli.
“He must seriously consult people like Amos Wako, move to Bungoma and consult people like Moses Wetang’ula, and look for (Prime CS Musalia) Mudavadi. From there, let him have a caucus, and we will be able to tell him whether he will be able to make it or not,” he said.
Atwoli expressed confidence in President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027, attributing it to his strategic political appointments and regional support.
“With the direction Ruto has taken, that trajectory that he is now taking, he will be the President at 10am in 2027,” Atwoli said.
