Atwoli Statement on Accepting DP Ruto as Kenya’s Next President

Atwoli Statement on Accepting DP Ruto as Kenya’s Next President

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has distanced himself from a quote cited to him, claiming that Deputy President William Ruto’s chances of winning the presidency have increased.

In the now dismissed quote, Atwoli appeared concerned with Ruto’s presidential bid and called for President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene.

“Deputy President is a serious mobilizer. He has prepared himself so well, and if the president does not move in to contain him, I think we will just have to accept him as our next president,” the dismissed quote read.

Responding to the quote above, Atwoli termed it as fake and blamed it on bloggers who are keen to use his name to make a living.

The veteran trade unionist also affirmed his earlier position on the 2022 general election, stating that DP Ruto will not win the upcoming polls.

“I have already pronounced myself on the candidature of William Ruto. Ruto is not going to be President. His bloggers should stop using my name for legitimacy purposes,” he tweeted.

File image of DP William Ruto. [Photo: Courtesy]

Meanwhile, Atwoli recently predicted that if elections were held today, ODM Leader Raila Odinga would win the contest with over 50 percent of the votes cast, meaning there won’t be a run off.

“…The man got into politics at the age of fourteen which means he is seasoned and adept when it comes to political matters. He is a very good strategist and the only way you can stop him is by employing an excellent contingency plan.

 “I am saying this as a person and not as the COTU boss, but if the elections were done today Raila will emerge victorious in the first round. He is the man to watch next year,” Atwoli said durng a recent interview on Citizen TV’s JKL show.