Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General, Francis Atwoli has stated that his statements regarding Deputy President Willian Ruto's presidential bid have been misquoted.
While addressing the press on Sunday, January 9, the trade unionist stated that no one could block Ruto from becoming the president if he won the election in August.
Atwoli has been an ardent critic of Ruto and has openly expressed that the DP could not become the president on numerous occasions amidst criticism from Ruto’s camp.
“I have never said that Ruto will not be allowed to become a president after the August General Elections. If he wins, who am I to say that he cannot become a president?
"I have never said if Ruto wins elections he will not be allowed to become President. I have never used such terms. If you have won elections you have won," Atwoli stated.
He stated that he had always meant that the DP would not get enough votes to win the elections during the August polls. However, he insisted that no one would block the DP from ascending to power if he won in a verifiable election.
"What I have said time and again is that people will come out in large numbers to vote and Ruto will not garner numbers to make him president. If in case he wins the elections, it is his constitutional right to be president in a democratic country, " he stated.
Nonetheless, Atwoli cautioned the electorate against voting for the DP stating that they will regret it if they ignore his advice.
“Kenyans in your right thinking, I am advising you for free to reject William Ruto. That is my take. I am asking you to reject Ruto because if you choose him you will regret and you will remember me," the trade unionist added.
The remarks are in sharp contrast to the trade unionist's past comments where he has emphatically claimed that Ruto would not be on the ballot in August 2022.
"William Ruto’s name will not be on the ballot paper come 2022; you can take that to the bank!" Atwoli stated then.
His sentiments caused a public uproar in Ruto's camps as leaders allied to the DP demanded the SG to clarify his sentiments.
At a separate event in Isenbania, Migori County, Ruto stated that he was sharp and would not allow his victory in the polls to be taken away from him.
He went on to state that he had won three times in by-elections that were held during the second term of the Jubilee administration.
“Now they have changed the propaganda and they have started saying that even if Ruto wins, the deep state and the system will deny him his votes and that I cannot be declared president.
" Let me ask you, the way you see me, do I look like someone whose victory can be snatched? Is there a deep state and system that I do not know of ?" Ruto posed.
