Pauline Njoroge fires back at Atwoli over Edwin Sifuna remarks
By David Nthua, July 14, 2026Jubilee Party’s Deputy Organising Secretary Pauline Njoroge has issued a response to Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary-General Francis Atwoli over his latest remarks on Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Writing on Facebook on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Njoroge rejected the suggestion that Sifuna’s political future depended on wealthy financiers or the endorsement of established Western Kenya power brokers.
She argued that Atwoli was underestimating the political momentum behind Sifuna because they were measuring his presidential prospects primarily through money and age.
“What Francis Atwoli, Ken Lusaka and the like forget is that there is a kind of favour that money cannot buy. It is the favour under which Edwin Sifuna is walking,” Njoroge said.
Her response came after Atwoli publicly told Sifuna that mounting a serious presidential campaign required substantial financial resources.
Pauline says money will not determine Sifuna’s future
Njoroge compared Sifuna’s political journey to the biblical stories of Joseph and David, who rose from positions of limited influence to become powerful leaders.
“It’s the kind of grace that lifted Joseph from slavery to the palace, the grace that took David from the shepherd’s field to the throne,” she stated.
“The grace that pays no attention to wealth, seniority, age or status, but exalts whom God has chosen.”
Njoroge then made a bold prediction that those currently dismissing Sifuna because of his financial position would eventually recognise him as president.
“The Sifuna you look down upon today because he does not have money is the very one you will soon address as His Excellency,” she said.
“And when that day comes, mtamsalimia na heshima.”
Her declaration translates to a warning that Sifuna’s political critics would have to greet and recognise him respectfully should he ascend to the presidency.
Njoroge did not present a formal presidential declaration from Sifuna. Her remarks instead represented her personal political projection and continuing campaign to position the Nairobi senator as a leading figure in the emerging opposition arrangement.
Atwoli says presidential campaigns require money
Atwoli made the remarks during a fund drive at Mwichina Church of God in Lurambi Constituency, Kakamega County, on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
The veteran trade unionist argued that a politician could not declare himself the leader of the Luhya community without consulting senior regional figures.
According to Atwoli, presidential ambitions also require a candidate to build relationships with leaders who have access to money and influential political networks.
“Mtu hawezi kusema ati yeye anaweza kuwa mkubwa wa Waluhya bila mimi kujua. Hiyo nataka niwaambie ukweli, kwa sababu kutafuta kiti kikubwa kunataka pesa,” Atwoli said.
He told Sifuna that he could mobilise as much as KSh1 billion for his presidential campaign within one minute.
“Na wewe ukitaka kuwa president katika Kenya hii, mimi ndiye naweza kukusaidia kuraise hata one billion kwa dakika moja ili uwe president,” he said.
“Sisi ndio tuna marafiki, na sisi ndio tunaweza kukusaidia uwe rais.”
Atwoli did not explain the specific fundraising mechanism he would use to raise the money or identify the people within his network who would contribute the funds.
His argument was that individual popularity and personal wealth were insufficient to sustain a national presidential campaign without the support of established political and financial networks. (The Standard)
‘The people will finance Sifuna’
Njoroge challenged Atwoli’s political financing model by arguing that Sifuna’s campaign would be owned and supported by ordinary citizens rather than a small circle of political patrons.
“As for the campaign, leave that to us. Huyu ni wetu kama wananchi,” she said.
“Sisi ndio tutamshikilia, na hiyo pesa ni sisi wananchi tutampatia, kwa sababu Sisi Ndio Sifuna.”
Her statement translates to a declaration that Sifuna belongs to the people and that citizens would provide the political and financial support required for his campaign.
The confrontation has consequently exposed two competing approaches to building presidential power.
Atwoli is advancing a model based on large campaign funds, senior political endorsements and established networks. Njoroge is presenting Sifuna as a citizen-backed candidate whose strength would come from popular mobilisation and public contributions.
However, Njoroge did not disclose whether a formal fundraising structure had been established or how contributions from Sifuna’s supporters would be collected and accounted for.
Sifuna’s national numbers rise
The confrontation comes as Sifuna records increased national visibility in opinion polling ahead of the 2027 election.
An Infotrak Voice of the People survey released on Monday, July 13, placed Sifuna at 12 per cent in presidential preference, tying him with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
President William Ruto led the poll with 32 per cent, followed by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka at 13 per cent.
Although opinion polls represent voter sentiment at the time of the survey and do not determine an election, Sifuna’s position among the leading names gives political weight to the debate over his ability to launch a presidential campaign.