National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has questioned Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s competence to be president because the highest position in the land needs years of experience and exposure in politics.

This comes as the speaker addressed his constituency people during the women empowerment day in Hamisi Constituency, Vihiga County on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Mr. Wetang’ula said Sifuna cannot skip the experience of previous Presidents and go straight to the State House. He said aspiring Presidents should first build their political capital and public image before entering the political arena.

“I observed that Kenyans are not ready to elect a president who lacks exposure in the political field,” Moses Wetangula said.

The Speaker listed Kenya’s past Presidents, including Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, President William Ruto as examples of leaders who had extensive knowledge in politics before being elected into power.

“Jomo Kenyatta was freed from prison at 75 and he remained in power for 15 years, Moi was a member of parliament before becoming President since 1957, Kibaki was a member of parliament and was in politics for 39 years before becoming President. Uhuru and Ruto were members of parliament and were in government for 16 years between them before Uhuru was elected President and Ruto six years later.”

“We can, therefore, conclude that there is no magic formula that delivers a person from being a member of parliament to President. One has to know the political landscape, one has to have experience and exposure. One has to traverse the country and network in order to rise to the topmost position in the political arena,” the Speaker explained.

The speaker’s remarks are the latest in a series of criticisms of Edwin Sifuna’s presidential ambitions ahead of the August 2027 General Election. Last month, Wetangula cautioned young politicians against vying for the top post when they have no track record.

“You cannot wake up and decide to be a president because you have no track record,” Moses Wetangula said during a meeting with young leaders from Bumula Constituency in his residence in Bungoma.

The President of the Bungoma based Bumala Organization of Politics and Governance Forum called for more experience instead of young politicians’ ambition.

Sen. Edwin Sifuna currently serves as the first-term Nairobi Senator of the opposition Linda Mwananchi party and has risen to prominence as a leading opposition figure against the Ruto government ahead of the 2027 elections. The rising star has angered many political heavyweights who question the extent of his preparations for the presidential campaign.

Earlier, Sifuna rubbished claims that he is inexperienced to lead the country. He insisted that his age or wealth has no bearing on his ability to be President. The Nairobi Senator said he will be the first one-term senator to become President and that God’s guidance will see him through.

He said a miracle will occur in 2027 and expressed belief that Linda Mwananchi will win the presidency.

“We are changing how Kenyan politics is run. Kuna muujiza tutafanya 2027 that it is possible to make Linda Mwananchi popular across the country in less than 10 months and win the presidency,” he said.

As the 2027 elections draw near, Moses Wetangula maintains that a competent leader should have sufficient exposure and knowledge in leadership before engaging in the presidential campaign.