Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli has called upon Kenyan workers to rally behind President William Ruto's administration to ensure their welfare is secured.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 14, Atwoli noted that Kenyan workers suffered major consequences when the country failed to move in one direction.
The COTU boss affirmed that the union was ready to work with the government of the day to provide an effective platform to promote unity and welfare among workers.
"In his inaugural speech, President Ruto was full of reconciliation and hope and as COTU (K) we associate ourselves with his resolution and assurance of working with all Kenyans from the political divide in building a united and prosperous Kenya."
"It is important to note that at any given time when Kenyans have failed to move in one direction, a problem has always occurred and those who have suffered the most have been workers, children and women. Therefore, the inaugural speech by President Ruto must be taken seriously as it plants a sense of hope in Kenyans," Atwoli pointed out.
Atwoli, a strong supporter of the Azimio la Umoja coalition and a fierce critic of Ruto, urged political rivals to work towards unifying the country. He affirmed that the country's interests surpassed an individual's pursuits.
"As workers, we support the President's call for unity and reconciliation as we hope and trust, and call upon, other Kenyans of goodwill to have all hands on deck. At such times, it's wise to remember that Kenya is bigger than all of us and especially those who were involved in the political campaigns and bickering," Atwoli noted.
Atwoli called upon Kenyans to rally behind his cause and work with Ruto's administration.
"As it has been our tradition to work with the government of the day which provides an environment where workers through COTU (K), employers through (FKE) and the government through the Ministry of Labour work in a tripartite structure, COTU (K) remains ready to work with the administration of President William Ruto to promote unity and the rights and welfare of Kenyan workers."
In the statement, the trade unionist appeared to change his tune and is seemingly throwing his weight behind the Kenya Kwanza administration. Recently, he admitted that Ruto's camp had a better campaign strategy than Raila's Azimio la Umoja.
"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," Atwoli noted.
