The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, has stated that President-elect William Ruto outsmarted them in the just concluded August 9 polls.
Speaking at an event in Western Kenya on Friday, September 9, Atwoli admitted that Ruto had a better campaign strategy than Azimio La Umoja.
He as well explained that the Raila Odinga-led faction focused on old tactics yet Ruto had hatched new counter strategies.
"I had told Kenyans to get used to the voice of Raila as their president but I never knew that I would come back and tell people to get used to the voice of Ruto. Can't you see that is the work of God?
"We went to sleep thinking that we had won. We were politicking in the old way and people would shout at us and we thought that they were with us. On the other hand, Ruto had the political skills and he outsmarted us," he stated.
Further, the trade union boss expressed that it was time for the country to move on noting that Ruto was the incoming head of state.
He encouraged Raila's supporters to embrace the change adding that the new government would be inclusive.
Atwoli urged the incoming President, set to be sworn in on Tuesday, September 13, to promote unity in the county and foster economic development in all the counties.
"Right now, the father of the nation is Ruto and we must accept him so that the country can be successful and peaceful.
"You can see that he walked with our brothers like Wetangula and he will help our people. That is the work of God and we must accept it. Even in the Trade Union, we have congratulated him," he stated.
During the campaigns, Atwoli was one of Ruto's biggest critics and often expressed that it would be difficult for him to win the August 9 polls.
However, his sentiments on the campaign trail saw him come under sharp criticism from Kenya Kwanza leaders who accused him of misusing his powers as the COTU boss.
“COTU will not be a clownish cowboy club that labours for a few individuals. Under my watch, the labour movement is going to regain its sense of purpose and respectability as the middle house between employers and their employees” Mudavadi stated then.
