COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has sensationally alleged that Deputy President William Ruto was planning to use violence to reject the outcome of the 2022 General Elections.
Speaking in Tana River County on Monday, July 19, in an event attended by ODM leader Raila Odinga, Atwoli urged the former Prime Minister to be wary of Ruto’s alleged plot.
He added that Ruto was reportedly importing weapons from a neighbouring country after befriending its President.
“Raila, kindly keep your eyes on Ruto. He will reject the outcome which may lead to a crisis in the country. He is importing firearms,” Atwoli alleged.
He warned Kenyans against voting for Ruto, specifically Mt Kenya residents who he argued will be betrayed once he gets into power.
Atwoli castigated Ruto’s bottom-up approach stating that the philosophy was misplaced and unrelatable.
“Who wants to call his children hustlers? Let him (Ruto) call his own hustlers. Do not call my child a hustler! We want the youth to have jobs,” Atwoli reprimanded the DP and added that the BBI is indispensable and will uplift the youth.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Thursday, July 22, Ruto’s Communication Director, Emmanuel Talam downplayed Atwoli’s accusations and urged him to report the matter to the authorities.
“Let him report the matter to the nearest police station,” Talam stated.
Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta have constantly reiterated that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) will enhance Kenya’s peace and posterity and curb the widespread violence witnessed after elections.
Ruto, nonetheless, argues that BBI will only create additional positions which would burden taxpayers. The solution to a peaceful election, he stated, was allowing voters to vote peacefully without interference and leaders accepting election outcomes.
“We are keen on abandoning the politics of division, and building a united country. That way, we can move our country forward,” he stated.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) warned politicians against hate speech and inciting the mass, adding that those found culpable will face the law.
