COTU SG Francis Atwoli on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to President William Ruto at State House Nairobi in company of Speaker Moses Wetangula, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi,Senator Khalwale,and Former CS Rashid Echesa.
This comes few weeks after issuing contradicting statements against his political friend Raila Odinga.
The meeting with Ruto, likely has something to do with the Bungoma Senatorial by election where Ford-K and UDA have fielded candidates.
Change of tune?
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli is slowly shifting from his script to supporting President William Ruto’s government or so it seems.
This has lent the trade union boss to real criticism and is currently on the receiving end of a now awkward Twitter moment after he disagreed with Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga about Ruto being a potential dictator.
Atwoli while speaking on Saturday, November 26 was not cautious while opposing Raila Odinga saying Kenya is far from being an authoritarian regime.
“We are not a dictatorial state, we are nothing near there yet,” Atwoli disagreed with Raila.
He said the Head of State is nurturing free speech in the country and that to him is a healthy democracy.
“Those who are saying Ruto is a dictator are leaders at political space, let them talk because that is what they fought for,” he opined.
Adding;
“This current government has promoted free speech, the president has not castigated anyone for criticizing him. Let people say what they want to say but we are not a dictatorial state and they should make sure their remarks do not upset the peace we are enjoying now.”
This has however spurred mixed reactions online with most calling the man who had fashioned himself as a deft leader who spoke on behalf of Raila for his double standards.
“Trying to be relevant, ok. Look back and see what you’ve said about WSR. Shame on You,” Kabogo called Atwoli out.
On his part, Kakamega town MP Peter Kaluma wrote: “Atwoli knows how Iddi Amin started.”
Source People Daily
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