Atwoli Urges Politicians To Work With Ruto

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli has urged Kenyans to join him in committing to work with President William Ruto.

In a statement on Wednesday, September 14, Atwoli congratulated Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, on their inauguration on Tuesday, September 13 at Kasarani and termed the President's speech as one that spoke hope in the ears of Kenyans.

Atwoli noted that working Kenyans had paid dearly from the scenarios whereby Kenya failed to move in unison, a problem that has also affected women and children.

President William Ruto signs the Executive Orders at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, September 13, 2022. /PSCU

The COTU boss urged Kenyans across the divide to take his speech seriously while offering to work with President Ruto.

"In his inaugural speech, President Ruto was full of reconciliation and hope and as COTU (K) we associate ourselves with his resolution and assurance of working with all Kenyans from the political divide in building a united and prosperous Kenya."

"It is important to note that at any given time when Kenyans have failed to move in one direction, a problem has always occurred and those who have suffered the most have been workers, children and women. Therefore, the inaugural speech by President Ruto must be taken seriously as it plants a sense of hope in Kenyans," he said.

Atwoli, a strong supporter of the Azimio la Umoja coalition and a fierce critic of Ruto, urged political rivals to put their differences aside for the betterment of the country under the new administration.

"As workers, we support the President's call for unity and reconciliation as we hope and trust, and call upon, other Kenyans of goodwill to have all hands on deck. At such times, it's wise to remember that Kenya is bigger than all of us and especially those who were involved in the political campaigns and bickering," Atwoli noted. 

He added that the union was ready to assist Ruto's government in promoting unity and the rights of the Kenyan workers as well as their welfare.

"As it has been our tradition to work with the government of the day which provides an environment where workers through COTU (K), employers through (FKE) and the government through the Ministry of Labour work in a tripartite structure, COTU (K) remains ready to work with the administration of President William Ruto to promote unity and the rights and welfare of Kenyan workers."

This means that Atwoli apparently changes his tune and is deemed to be supporting the Kenya Kwanza administration. He earlier confessed that Ruto's team had toppled Raila's camp in terms of strategy.

"We went to sleep thinking that we had won. We were politicking in the old way and people would shout at us and we thought that they were with us. On the other hand, Ruto had the political skills and he outsmarted us," Atwoli noted. 

COTU boss, Francis Atwoli, in his office. /FACEBOOK