COTU boss Francis Atwoli made unexpected remarks on Saturday, October 19, while addressing mourners at Bungoma County during the burial of KTN anchor Mary Kilobi's brother.
The unionist who's on several occasions downplayed DP William Ruto's 2022 presidential bid, changed his tune when he asked Western Kenya leaders to work with the DP.
While criticising ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi, Atwoli showed his rare support of Ruto when he stated, "People (MPs) are out there negotiating for their political benefit. You (Mudavadi) are saying you can't follow anyone. And you are not there negotiating."
A week ago, on Sunday, October 13, while speaking at Bukhwala Seventh Day Adventist Church in Khwisero Constituency, the trade unionist took a swipe at the DP.
Atwoli told Ruto to stop wasting time campaigning to become president in 2022 adding that the DP lacked the credibility to serve as president.
The COTU boss affirmed his belief that the Luhya community would never support Ruto's presidential bid.
“If the deputy president thinks he can win the support of the Luhya community by frequenting western region to attend church functions and making donations, he is mistaken. Some of our leaders have become cheap and are busy chasing handouts,” Atwoli reiterated.
However, Atwoli's latest remarks on Ruto's political career came as a shocker to Western Kenya MPs considering the unionist previous stand on Ruto's bid for the presidency.
Atwoli who told the politicians present during the burial that it is within their constitutional rights to work with DP Ruto further stated, " I thank MPs like Didmus Baraza who are working with Ruto. They are negotiating. Let them do so."
Atwoli's brother-in-law Emmanuel Wesuyia was gunned down by thugs on the night of Tuesday, October 8 in Thika town.
