Atwoli Speaks On Reports of Being Airlifted For Treatment

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli during a past Labour Day celebration
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli during a past Labour Day celebration
File

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary general Francis Atwoli has disputed claims that he was airlifted to Germany on Monday morning, December 21, to seek medical treatment.

Atwoli made the clarification following reports circulating on social media that he was unwell, and had left the country to seek treatment.

"Avoid the propaganda circulating on social media platforms that I have been airlifted to Germany for treatment. I am in good and perfect health and busy executing my duties as entrusted by Kenyan and African workers," Atwoli wrote on Twitter.

File image of Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli
File image of Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli
File

 He added that he had attended an NSSF Board of Trustees meeting. 

Atwoli further alleged that the information had been peddled by a political group run by Communication and Digital strategist Dennis Itumbi.

However, speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Itumbi brushed off the sentiments and asked the unionist to be more vocal on helping solve the health workers strike predicament.

 "This is not the smoke signals era. It is the digital era. Smoke signals are traceable to location through analogue means, Twitter has digital footprints. Get up from hallucinations, I am not interested in his statements or activities. I do not consider them worth a response, interaction or commentary. Let Atwoli help resolve the doctors, nurses and clinical workers strike as a trade unionist."

On Monday morning, the internet was awash with rumours that two leaders had been rushed to hospital, one in Germany and the other at the Nairobi Hospital.

"Some reports indicate that COTU SG Francis Atwoli has been airlifted to Germany for treatment. There is another VIP at Nairobi Hospital as we speak.

"I am yet to bury my Governor John Nyagarama! 2020 remains one of the most difficult year in my lifetime. Let is just go forever," a netizen posted.

In June this year, Atwoli had to clarify that he had not contracted Covid-19 following rumours that circulated online alleging that he had tested positive for the virus.

Atwoli urged Kenyans to desist spreading fake news at a time when the country was battling a pandemic.

"Let’s avoid sharing fake news. Considering I am a person of interest, I will make it public if I were to get hospitalized. It’s God, the one God I pray to, who takes care of me," Atwoli tweeted.

Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology where he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree on December 14, 2018.
Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology where he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree on December 14, 2018.
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