COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli on Friday, January 3, hit out at Kandara MP Alice Wahome for accusing him of spearheading President Uhuru Kenyatta's 2022 agenda.
Wahome alleged that Atwoli, former Jubilee Vice Chair David Murathe, and Nominated Senator Beth Mugo were advocating for President Uhuru to cling to power in 2022 and accused him of being an enemy of the country's progress.
Addressing the media from Nakuru, Atwoli predicted that Wahome would fail to retain her Kandara seat come 2022.
"I can assure Kenyans Alice Wahome will not win the Kandara seat in 2022, because people want people who are advocating for peace in this country," Atwoli proclaimed.
The COTU secretary general recounted that unlike her, former Kandara legislators held senior positions in government.
"Alice is the 8th MP for Kandara. Bildad Kaggia was an assistant minister, Ndeu Mwaura, George Mwichigi, Joshua Toro, all MPs from Kandara have worked closely with the government, if she wants to be an opponent to the government she should just say so," Atwoli exclaimed.
"People don't want leaders who are opposing the obvious, we as workers are having a lot of problems with the current constitution and we must visit some of the issues in this constitution hindering workers," he added.
Atwoli accused Wahome of misleading Kenyans by alleging that he was in the employ of the president, firmly stating that he was a free person with the right to have opinions.
"I am a very independent person, from a very independent organisation and a person who respects the view of others, I am not a State House operative," he argued.
He criticised her for going back on what she had earlier asked of President Kenyatta.
"Last week Wahome appealed to the president to ensure enough democracy, freedom of speech, ensure respect for the constitution, but in less than a week she is auditing the same," Atwoli remarked.
"Alice wants to make Kenyans believe that we are made to say what we say, can we also say that what she said during the funeral was sent," he stated.
Murang'a Woman Representative Sabina Chege also weighed in on the matter stating that Atwoli, Murathe, and Mugo were entitled to the same freedom of expression that Wahome was advocating for.
She was addressing members of the public during the Sabina Wanjiru foundation mentorship day at Kimorori grounds in Kenol, Murang'a county.
Chege criticised Wahome for piling blame on President Uhuru yet she had not legislative contributions in parliament that were crippled by the head of state.
She accused her of pointing fingers at the commander in chief with no mention of Deputy President William Ruto, yet they were in government together.
"Let her tell us what bill she has sponsored through parliament, got it passed and President Kenyatta failed to sign it into law," Chege critiqued.
"She is blaming the president for everything in the country. Why not also blame Ruto because he is also in the government," she posed.
The Murang'a legislator asked Wahome to set aside her political antics and focus on the development of her constituency and empowering her constituents.
