Rivals To Friends: Atwoli Meets Ruto At State House
Atwoli was part of a delegation of members from the Luhya community that paid Ruto a visit...
Marvin Chege 
President William Ruto met Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli at State House on Thursday, December 1.
Atwoli took to social media to share photos of him and the Head of State seemingly in happy conversation, quite the contrast to the former's snide feelings of the latter in the buildup to the August 9 general elections.
Ruto and Atwoli met for an hour whereby they discussed issues to do with labour as well as political and personal reconciliation.
Francis Atwoli with President Ruto at State House on December 1, 2022. /TWITTER.FRANCIS ATWOLI
The long-serving COTU boss also shared that they discussed Kenya's ratification of ILO Convention 190. This is the first international treaty to recognize the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment.
"This morning I paid a courtesy call to H.E President William Ruto whereby we held discussions on Kenya's ratification of ILO C190 and outsourcing of labour.
"I also sought an appointment with the Head of State to meet and share with all COTU Affiliated General Secretaries," Atwoli stated.
Atwoli was part of a delegation of members from the Luhya community that paid Ruto a visit. It included Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale, former Kakamega Governor Cleophas Malala and former Sports CS Rashid Echesa.
He has been a member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, since 2008 and was recently re-elected Vice President of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) for the fourth term in November.
“The position you have just bestowed on me this morning isn’t an easy one, you are sending me to war, to fight for working men and women wherever they are in the world, am only your soldier whose actions will always come from you, the commanders, and I will stand for your interests and put up my life for you always,” he said after his re-election.
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.
"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.
He looked to have changed his tune and was deemed to have thrown his weight behind the Kenya Kwanza administration. He had previously confessed that Ruto's team had toppled Raila Odinga's Azimio la Umoja camp in terms of strategy.
COTU boss, Francis Atwoli, in his office. /FACEBOOK
