The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) secretary general, Francis Atwoli, says that the nation should only accept William Ruto as President-elect if the Supreme Court rules in his favour.
Atwoli, while speaking at a burial in Meru County on Friday, August 19, stated that Azimio La Umoja flagbearer, Raila Odinga, was advised by the coalition leaders to move to the Supreme Court of Kenya and challenge the election results.
He reiterated that both Ruto and Raila agreed to accept the outcome of the ruling.
"We advised Raila to follow the law and wait for the court's verdict. Ruto also said that he will accept the final decision of the court. If the two agree with the court's decision, who are we to reject it?" Atwoli stated.
Atwoli, however, called on Kenyans to exercise restraint and preach peace instead of throwing jabs at the losers.
"You can throw jabs at each other but the election is over and you will have to seat with family members who you didn't agree with politically but you understand that tolerance is the key," Atwoli stated.
"I am pleading with those who are using social media to threaten people and incite others to stop. We are going to court let us wait for the results from the court," he added.
Atwoli has been a target of fake news on social media due to his earlier utterances when he was campaigning for Raila.
On Friday, August 12, he dismissed reports that he fled the country due to political pressure associated with the outcome of the presidential vote.
The outspoken trade unionist flagged a photo claiming that he was at a foreign airport, seeking asylum abroad.
Explaining the context of the viral photo, Atwoli disclosed that it was taken when he had travelled to Malaysia.
A few days later, he also set the record straight on claims that he was resigning from COTU after Ruto was declared the President-elect.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 17, Atwoli hit out at digital strategist Dennis Itumbi for claiming that he was leaving his role at the trade union.
Further, he clarified that the meeting he convened on Wednesday, August, 17 was to prepare for the burial of one of COTU members and not to celebrate his exit.
