Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has rubbished the ongoing opposition-led charm offensive in Western Kenya, warning that any effort to sway the region’s political allegiance ahead of 2027 will flop without the endorsement of its senior-most leaders.
Speaking in response to the “Mashemeji Twaja” tour spearheaded by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and a coalition of opposition figures, Atwoli said the political pilgrimage across the Luhya counties would yield little if not backed by key regional powerbrokers.
“Someone tell Gachagua and Kalonzo: as long as our in-law Raila Odinga, Moses Wetang’ula, Musalia Mudavadi and myself are not with you, you cannot win Western Kenya,” Atwoli said. “It is an exercise in futility. The Mulembe Nation has its owners.”
Read also:Ruto
The controversial remarks come as the “Mashemeji Twaja” tour intensifies its campaign across Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Trans Nzoia — counties that hold a combined voter base of over 2.2 million.
The political caravan includes notable figures such as Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, ex-Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, and several MPs.
While the tour is framed as an attempt to forge a new political alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election, Atwoli has interpreted it as a premature and miscalculated move, especially in a region known for its intricate power dynamics.
“You don’t just walk in and claim Mulembe loyalty without engaging those who’ve stood with the people for decades. The votes are here, but so is the leadership,” Atwoli added, reinforcing his influence in the region’s political landscape.
The tour’s planners have pitched it as a people-first movement, with leaders holding rallies in Kisumu, Luanda, Mumias, Malava, Mbale, and Kakamega town, where they have criticised government excesses and promised a more inclusive leadership model.
Gachagua, who has recently re-emerged on the political scene following a period of silence, appears to be rebranding himself as a unifying figure capable of bridging ethnic and regional divides — a strategy many believe is geared toward a 2027 bid.
His efforts, however, face resistance not just from the ruling UDA establishment but also from entrenched figures like Atwoli, who continue to wield significant influence over Western Kenya’s political direction.
