Francis Atwoli’s ex-wife begs him to rethink his support for Ruto’s 2027 bid

Roselinda Simiyu Atwoli, the wife of Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, has publicly challenged her husband over his continued criticism of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

Speaking during the official launch of the Linda Mwananchi Party in Lavington, Nairobi, on Friday, October 30, 2026, Roselinda appealed to the veteran trade unionist to reconsider his position on Sifuna’s political ambitions.

The parliamentary hopeful, who has openly declared her support for Sifuna and frequently refers to herself as ‘Mama ya Sifuna’, urged her ex-husband to change his political stance and recognise the direction Kenyans want the country to take.

“Na mimi naongea najua kuna wazee wananisikiza, and I want to use this moment to appeal to my husband, Francis Atwoli, aondoe matope kwa macho yake aone mwangaza na aone kule ambako Wakenya wanataka kuenda,” she said.

Her remarks, which drew applause from opposition leaders attending the event, appeared to be a direct response to Atwoli’s repeated public criticism of Sifuna and his presidential ambitions.

Atwoli has publicly declared his support for President Ruto’s re-election campaign, citing the government’s development record as one of the reasons behind his decision.

On October 22, 2026, the COTU Secretary-General criticised Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, arguing that the Nairobi Senator needed to build stronger political networks before seeking the country’s top seat.

He also cautioned young politicians against pursuing leadership without adequate political preparation.

Atwoli has further announced plans for a political rally at Bukhungu Stadium on December 26, 2026, where he intends to mobilise support for Ruto’s re-election bid in Western Kenya.

In a past radio interview in 2020, Roselinda Simiyu revealed that she married Atwoli when she was 30 years old and lived in Kariobangi.

According to Roselinda, the two were mostly broke, further explaining that he did not reveal to her that he was married but instead told her he was a divorcée.

“I met Francis in 1996 when I was a chairperson at the Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation Workers. He was 47 years but never told me he was married, instead he said he was divorced,” Roselinda noted.

At the time, Roselinda also denied claims that Atwoli left her because she wanted to join politics and insisted that even when they started their affair, she told him that she would one day join politics, which he agreed to.

“I told him I wanted to make change. I loved helping people and I wanted to do politics, general politics. I grew up seeing people being oppressed. He agreed and promised to support me in politics. When he was contesting for a political seat for the first time, as the wife I supported him even financially with the money I had saved to buy myself a car.”

Roselinda said that the marital hiccups started in 2015.

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