Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has differed with Azimio One Kenya Coalition party leader Raila Odinga on assertion that President William Ruto is becoming a dictator.
Speaking on Saturday, November 26, Atwoli remarked that the country is far from being an autocratic state.
“We are not a dictatorial state, we are nothing near there yet,” Atwoli strongly disagreed with Raila.
The trade unionist stated that political leaders castigating Ruto should be given latitude to do so terming it as healthy for the nation’s democracy.
“Those who are saying Ruto is a dictator are leaders at political space, let them talk because that is what they fought for,” he opined.
Atwoli who was a fierce critic of Ruto in the run up to the elections went ahead to praise him in unexpected turn of events.
“This current government has promoted free speech, the president has not castigated anyone for criticizing him,” Atwoli praised Ruto.
He went further to warn politicians not to make remarks that can disturb peace in the country.
“Let people say what they want to say but we are not a dictatorial state and they should make sure their remarks do not upset the peace we are enjoying now,” he warned.
Atwoli explained that most workers are in informal sector and without peace in the country they will not be able to earn their living.
While defending IEBC commissioners facing petitions in parliament, Raila on November 25, argued that Ruto was enacting jungle rules in preparation for 2027 general elections.
“The rule of law must prevail and not your jungle laws that you want to institute so as to subjugate Kenyans to a conveyor belt system of elections come 2027,” Raila in a terse statement remarked.
Azimio principal Martha Karua on November 18 had also accused the president of leading the country towards a dictatorship.
“We have seen in recent months' cases being withdrawn, of fraud and others where the suspects are the people in power… Something is cooking in Kenya, and this is the making of a dictatorship," Karua sounded a warning.
