COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of being partly responsible for Raila Odinga’s defeat in the 2022 General Election, as the political tensions within Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) continue to escalate, nearly three months after the passing of the former Prime Minister.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Wednesday night on January 7, Atwoli said Kenyatta did not play an active enough role in Raila’s campaign despite publicly backing his bid, a situation that greatly contributed to the loss suffered by the Azimio team in the 2022 polls.
“Former President Uhuru Kenyatta was responsible for Raila’s loss in 2022. Even if we were to amend the Constitution to accommodate him, that would not make him a winner. Even if Uhuru were to run in 2027, he would not beat President Ruto. After elections, we must accept that we are defeated,” Atwoli said.
Atwoli claimed that Kenyatta did not adequately rally key leaders and campaign teams backing Raila’s presidential campaign.
According to the trade unionist, the former president appeared to support Raila but failed to take concrete steps to consolidate and coordinate the campaign team.
Matiang'i Warning
Atwoli also issued a warning to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who was recently named Deputy Party Leader of the Jubilee Party and has declared his intention to vie for the presidency with the backing of the former Head of State.
“Uhuru appeared to be supporting Baba, but at no point did he convene a meeting with the people who were on the frontline campaigning for Raila. I now hear he is saying he wants Matiang’i to be President. If Matiang’i is not careful with his own moves, Uhuru will not make him President. If he did not make Raila, how can he make Matiang’i president?”
ODM Wrangles
The developments come at a time when Raila’s party, ODM, is grappling with internal divisions, with factions split over the political position taken by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and other leaders who have openly declined to support the broad-based government of which the party is a member.
Amid the escalating discord, ODM party leader Oburu Odinga met with the embattled Secretary General in an effort to defuse the standoff within the party.
In a statement, Oburu said the two met on Wednesday at the party leader’s office in Nairobi to reinforce unity, dialogue, and cohesion among ODM leaders.
Sifuna has come under sustained pressure from sections of the party, with some members pushing for his removal over his firm stance and repeated criticism of the broad-based government.
However, Oburu defended the Nairobi Senator, describing him as a sober and principled voice whose commitment to democratic ideals remains highly valued within the party.
He also appeared to dismiss attempts to rein in the outspoken Senator, underscoring the importance of free expression and open debate within ODM.
