Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli on Sunday, September 13, voiced his displeasure over the day's cover story by the Sunday Nation.
The story attributed to Atwoli a plan for President Uhuru Kenyatta to run in the 2022 elections, despite having already served two terms. It proposed that Uhuru would have a fresh start after constitutional changes were implemented, in a Russian President Vladimir Putin-esque move.
The trade unionist, however, vehemently denied the scheme stating that his comments were misconstrued.
Atwoli claimed that he only expressed his support for Constitutional changes through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
"Why can’t the Daily Nation get simple things right? Why sensationalise the story?
"I said the Constitution may be changed. Then the new Constitution could create positions that might interest H.E. Uhuru and it is his choice to go for them. But he has already hinted at going home," Atwoli maintained.
The story had elicited an uproar from a section of Kenyans who deemed the plan a subversion of the Constitution.
In a press conference, Atwoli argued that the BBI was the only way to end the cycle of violence after elections.
He insisted that he supported the President for several reasons unrelated to 2022, such as the Big 4 development agenda.
"We do not have a mandate from the state. We are not state funded.
"We support the President for posterity. The future of our children depends on a peaceful person," he stated.
The story had compared the alleged plan by former President Daniel Arap Moi's move to seek a fresh term in 1992 after Section 2A was repealed, marking the return of multi-party democracy.
Atwoli has become a prominent player in the political arena thanks to a series of high-profile meetings at his Kajiado home in recent months.
Among leaders who have been spotted at the meetings are Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, Jubilee Vice-Chair David Murathe, Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and former Presidential candidate Peter Kenneth.
Atwoli has insisted that the meetings are meant to craft political strategies ahead of the next polls.
He has been one of the most vocal proponents of the BBI fronted by Uhuru and Raila.
