Atwoli Fumbles After Suluhu Asks Him About Ruto

Photo collage between President Suluhu Hassan and COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli
Photo collage between President Suluhu Hassan and COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli.
Pan Africanist

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli struggled to respond to Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan's question when the two met in Egypt. 

Speaking on Saturday, December 3, at a funeral in Khwisero, the trade unionist disclosed that he met Suluhu after the Conference of Parties (COP27) meeting,  in Egypt in November, where she inquired about the progress of Kenya's government.

Suluhu sought to know how President William Ruto settled into power and how he handled the transition process.

The COTU boss was conflicted about whether to inform Tanzania's President that he had supported Azimio la Umoja candidate Raila Odinga or explain Ruto's performance.

United Republic of Tanzania President Samia Suluhu waving at the crowd at Kasarani Stadium during the Presidential inauguration ceremony on September 13, 2022
United Republic of Tanzania President Samia Suluhu waving at the crowd at Kasarani Stadium during the Presidential inauguration ceremony on September 13, 2022
Kenyans.co.ke

However, Atwoli stated that he composed himself and gave President Ruto's administration a positive review, impressing Suluhu. 

"In the last meeting, I met President Suluhu Hassan, and she asked me just one question.  How is the leadership and administration of President William Samoei Ruto?" Atwoli posed.

"I was forced to give her the life history of President Ruto because he is now my president. I wondered if I should have started by explaining that I supported the opposition," Atwoli added.

Following the encounter, Atwoli appealed to Azimio principals, led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, to keep the government in check but in an organised way

He, however, warned that Ruto would easily win the 2027 General Election since he had managed to outsmart Azimio, which former President Uhuru Kenyatta supported in the August 9 polls.

"Kenya is a democracy. For the next 5 years, Ruto will be president.

"If he managed to take it from us and we had Uhuru yet he (Uhuru) had the government, what makes you think he won't take it from us in 2027? Atwoli posed.

At the same time, Atwoli vowed to unite the Luhya nation in collaboration with Chief Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Speaker Moses Wetangula.

Cotu boss Francis Atwoli speaking at an Azimio rally in Mulwanda, Khwisero on June 29, 2022.
Cotu boss Francis Atwoli speaking at an Azimio rally in Mulwanda, Khwisero on June 29, 2022.
Courtesy Francis Atwoli