KAKAMEGA —Francis Atwoli has delivered a sharp warning to opposition figures touring Western Kenya: without the blessing of the region’s top political leaders, you don’t stand a chance.
Speaking on Thursday, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General dismissed the opposition’s ongoing rallies as a fruitless exercise if key Western leaders Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetang’ula, and himself are not involved.
“Someone tell Gachagua, 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 firmly.
“It is an exercise in futility. Mulembe Nation has its owners.”
His remarks come just as a group of opposition leaders, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, launched a fresh political tour through key counties in Western and Nyanza.
The team visited Kakamega and Kisumu on Thursday as part of a broader campaign expected to run through Friday. It marks the latest in a series of public appearances by opposition figures hoping to rally support ahead of the 2027 general election.
The opposition coalition now increasingly united under Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has picked up momentum in recent weeks. Joining Gachagua on the tour are Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, DCP chair Cleophas Malala, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, and ex-Public Service CS Justin Muturi.
This growing alliance has been staging rallies across central and eastern Kenya including Meru, Laikipia, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi in a move political analysts describe as a strategic push to nationalise their appeal.
But Atwoli insists Western Kenya is not up for grabs.
The region comprising Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, Busia, and Trans Nzoia holds an estimated 2.2 million voters. It has long been viewed as a swing bloc, but recent elections have shown strong leanings toward Odinga and Mudavadi.
“If you don’t have the right people beside you, the people of Western will not listen,” Atwoli added.
