Omtatah hits back at Atwoli over his presidential bid
“We don’t have money to burn, but we have ideas and a solid programme," Omtatah said.
by SHARON MWENDE
Audio By Vocalize
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah
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.
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