The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, has denied that he was resigning following reports that emerged on Tuesday, August 16.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 17, Atwoli hit out at digital strategist and ally to president-elect William Ruto, Dennis Itumbi, for claiming that he was set to resign, yet that was not the case.
Further, he clarified that the meeting he had convened today (August, 17) was to prepare for the burial of one of COTU members and not to prepare for his exit.
However, the long-serving trade unionist revealed that he was serving his last term.
"This is a sad moment for us following the death of Bro. Isiah Kubai who was the GS of BIFU. We have called for a meeting to conduct a fundraiser in preparation for the burial on Friday in Meru. Because you (Itumbi) come from those sides you should join us instead of peddling lies.
"Further, matters COTU (K) leadership is a COTU (K) constitutional issue and not an Atwoli issue. As of now, I am in office serving my last term," Atwoli stated.
The statement by Atwoli came hours after Itumbi claimed that Atwoli had decided to resign from the trade union following Ruto's win in the just concluded August 9 polls.
"Hustler Nation Intelligence Bureau (HNIB) agents are reporting that COTU Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, has finally decided to take a backseat. However, he is trying to force a successor.
"The labour movement is, however, resisting his decision. Atwoli has called an emergency meeting of the labour movement tomorrow," Itumbi claimed.
Atwoli has been a vocal critic of Ruto and had claimed that the DP would not become president in 2022.
His support for Azimio also saw him come after sharp criticism as the Kenya Kwanza teams alleged that he was unlawfully using his position to influence voters to support Raila.
In particular, his sentiments saw him clash with ANC leader, Musalia Mudavadi, and Ford Kenya's Moses Wetangula - who promised to carry out reforms in the trade union if they won the elections.
“No amount of incessant insults and pedestrian-sycophantic public display by the Atwoli and ilk mercenaries for hire will deter Musalia Mudavadi’s resolve to liberate the Mulembe nation from the political entanglement of a state project.
"The inconsequential Atwoli and a bevy of his inane cheerleaders must wake up to the reality of our times that the Luhya nation will never be hoodwinked again to “steal political beeps” at the lake. Never!" Mudavadi stated.
