Atwoli fires at Raila over 2027 chances, ‘You’ll be frail to face Ruto’
3 min read
Francis Atwoli says it will be a toll order for Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga to unseat President William Ruto in the 2027 election
Francis Atwoli says it will be a toll order for Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga to unseat President William Ruto in the 2027 election.
Speaking in Vihiga on Saturday, September 2, Atwoli wondered the rationale of Ruto being trounced by Raila, yet that did not happen in 2022 when Azimio had the backing of the state under the retired president Uhuru Kenyatta.
The COTU boss said Ruto is shrewd and energetic to defend the the top seat unlike Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
“How will you unseat Ruto? While with Uhuru Kenyatta we sidelined Ruto but he still came and floored us. So in 2027 where will we get the energy to take on him? Mimi nikikaa nikiamka nasikia uchungu, na Raila je? Ako na nguvu za kukimbizana na Ruto?” he posed.
Raila had accused Atwoli of veering off from his core mandate which is to defend the rights of Kenyan workers and instead choosing to immerse himself into politics.
According to Raila, the COTU boss should be at the frontline of leading the anti-government protests in solidarity with workers.
“Trade unions were at the forefront of fighting for independence for our country. Many trade unions were jailed for running after independence. The unions are only needed to fight for workers. It is wrong when the trade unions marry with the government. There is a problem there,” said Raila.
Atwoli’s response to Raila Not to take the chance lying down, the trade unionist took on Raila, questioning why he was still in denial after the polls.
Raila castigate Ruto over ‘Mambo Ni Matatu’ remark “very reckless talk”
“The right time to reach and meet Raila” Azimio lawmaker reveals
Daughter of disposed President Bongo celebrates coup against his father
Nigeria addresses the possibility of a coup against Tinubu amid military takeover in the region
All students to be included in the new university funding model; HELB assures
Atwoli explained that he had not abandoned workers in the country but had retreated to his office, unlike most opposition bigwigs.
He stated that most of them did not have offices and hence had time for mass action protests on the streets.
As for him, he said he was lobbying for the likes of Raila to get positions in Ruto’s government.
“Those who are calling for demonstrations are doing so because they don’t have offices and are idle,” said Mr Atwoli. “People like Eugene Wamalwa, Wycliffe Oparanya, Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila Odinga have no offices to occupy and that is why they are on the streets. Give them the office of the leader of the opposition and they will sit down and work and there will be no more street protests.
“I went back to the office. And the truth of the matter is that they don’t have an office, and I am the one trying to find them an office. Let’s speak the truth. When it comes to protests, you wonder what the end goal is. I haven’t abandoned. They cannot go on the road. On the road, what do you want to achieve? How will you remove Ruto,” said Atwoli.
Also read,
Chaos as Atwoli fights with Azimio senator over who to invite Raila
Retired Army generals send coup warning to Nigeria President Bola Tinubu
Raila trolls Atwoli as the met first time in public after COTU boss defected to Ruto
Karua warns African women against dropping their surnames after marriage
Judiciary issues new guidelines on sentencing of sick and elderly offenders
Follow us
