Kenya: Wetang'ula Tells Sifuna - Presidency Requires Experience, Track Record

What the report says

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has warned young politicians against making an early run for Kenya’s presidency, saying the office demands long experience and a strong public-service record. According to Capital FM’s report published through AllAfrica, Wetang’ula’s remarks appeared aimed at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who has been building support in Western Kenya ahead of the 2027 election.

Wetang’ula made the comments on Sunday at his home in Bungoma, where he met grassroots leaders from Bumula Constituency. He argued that Kenya’s past presidents rose through years of political work and cited several former and current heads of state as examples of leaders who held different posts before reaching State House. He said aspiring presidents should first prove themselves in other elected or public roles.

The Speaker also linked his remarks to broader political activity in Western Kenya, where leaders are seeking to shape the region’s influence before the next general election. He said the Luhya community was closer than ever to producing a president and urged it to take a strategic approach, including backing President William Ruto’s re-election bid as a possible path to future national power.

Beyond succession politics, Wetang’ula called on senior government officials from Western Kenya to do more for local development and praised projects he associated with the Ruto administration, including work on Kanduyi Stadium, Nzoia Sugar Factory and the planned Malaba-Eldoret dual carriageway. He also pressed local administrators to help more eligible residents obtain national identity cards before 2027.