I would rather stay where I am: Sifuna takes hard stance on deputy president position

Senator Edwin Sifuna of Kenya has firmly rejected the notion of serving as Deputy President under President William Ruto, insisting he is more focused on revitalizing the nation's constitutional governance and rule of law. When asked if he would accept the role of "number two" to a leader he does not support, Sifuna bluntly stated, "I would rather stay where I am."

Sifuna's hard stance comes amid speculation about potential political alignments in the run-up to the 2027 General Election. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Sifuna have both emerged as key figures in opposition circles. Sifuna told reporters, "We are not looking for leadership positions; we are looking to transform this country of ours."

The senator criticized what he termed as "mambo ni matatu" governance, questioning the authority of the president to unilaterally order factory closures without due process. Sifuna emphasized that disputes between investors and the government should be resolved through the courts, not through arbitrary executive actions. He warned that such uncertainty could erode investor confidence and stifle job creation, particularly for Kenya's young workforce.

Sifuna also invoked Kenya's recent political history, dismissing comparisons to the era of former President Daniel arap Moi and the Kenya African National Union (KANU). He stated, "We closed the chapter on Moi a long time ago. We closed the chapter on KANU a long time ago." His comments reflect a broader shift in political discourse as Kenya navigates the complexities of its electoral landscape.