Raila trolls Atwoli as the met first time in public after COTU boss defected to Ruto
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Raila and Atwoli in public meeting together for first time since the COTU boss switched camps to support President William Ruto
Raila and Atwoli in public meeting together for first time since the COTU boss switched camps to support President William Ruto.
For the first time since the trade unionist switched sides and vowed to support President William Ruto, the two shared a pondium on Saturday in Vihinga County.
Raila and Atwoli met on Saturday, September 2, in Mwondi village in Vihiga County where they attended the burial ceremony of COTU Chairman Rajab Mwondi.
The meeting in Vihiga is the first known public gathering following the COTU leader’s meeting with President William Ruto in Nairobi on December 1, 2022, during which he made a commitment to support the Head of State whom he had fiercely opposed prior to the 2022 presidential election.
The two appeared to be in good spirits as they sat close to one another throughout the funeral service.
However, Raila trolled Atwoli for forgoing the cause as the defender of workers and joining the government.
“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.
According to the Azimio leader, this would be the best time for trade unions to side with workers in the face of the high cost of living and high taxation.
In his response, Atwoli defended his resolve to support the president.
He said was duly elected and thus it would be rational to rally behind him by virtue of him being the head of state.
Atwoli clarified that he had not abandoned Azimio and the workers, saying he only went back to his office to undertake his duties.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader, had long enjoyed the support of COTU.
In 2022 general elections, Atwoli supported Raila’s presidential bid while fiercely castigating William Ruto chnce of becoming president.
Atwoli campaigned vigorously against Ruto’s presidency and even went on record stating that Ruto would not succeed former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
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However, Atwoli surprised political observers when he declared his support for President William Ruto after beating Raila in the 2022 presidential election.
Atwoli had also earlier urged President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga to ditch the bipartisan talks process meant to address the differences between the opposition and the government.
He instead asked the two leaders to iron out their differences in person and lead the country towards economic recovery.
“Ile jopo halina maana yoyote, ni juu ya mheshimiwa Raila Amolo Odinga, William Samoei Ruto kukutana watu wawili waangalie ni njia gani because they are stakeholders katika hii nchi, ni vingozi kivyao,” Atwoli said.
“Wale watu katika jopo ni watu wa chini sana. Hawafai wakutane wawaambie hii njia ndio mwafaka. When the two meet, they can find a solution when they meet.”
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