Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) boss Francis Atwoli on Monday, May 1, urged President William Ruto’s government to give Azimio leader Raila Odinga a job.
Speaking during the Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Atwoli affirmed that the move would help end demonstrations scheduled by the opposition.
To prove his point, the COTU Secretary-General (SG) noted that former President Uhuru Kenyatta did the same to ensure peace during his term as the Head of State.
“Raila Odinga did a lot for this country. He fought for the second liberation and the Constitution. For that, we recognise him as a national leader.
“We should find him a job even if it is similar to the one he held as the Head of Infrastructure for the African Union,” Atwoli stated.
If an international role is not available, Atwoli suggested that Raila should be given board chairman of a government agency according him an opportunity to address key meetings.
Atwoli remarked that with Raila occupied, the demonstrations by the opposition would come to a halt arguing that most of those pushing for the demonstrations only sought to enrich and make a name for themselves.
During his speech, Atwoli further remarked that he was among the first people to accept Ruto’s presidency following the August 9, 2022, presidential election.
“Immediately after the Supreme Court ruling, I was among the first leaders in the country to recognise Ruto as the President.
“Peace is paramount in this country, I cannot let us go the Sudan way where there is conflict due to leadership issues,” he stated.
Atwoli further added that he had sensed that Raila would lose the 2022 Presidential General Election.
“I was among the top Azimio luminaries but towards the election date, we were warned by fellow Azimio bigwig Maina Kamanda that Ruto would defeat us,” Atwoli revealed intrigues towards the hotly contested election.
