Raila Odinga Wants Francis Atwoli Out Of COTU Leadership: "Ameenda Kwa Kitanda Na Serikali"

• ODM leader Raila Odinga castigated COTU secretary-general Francis Atwoli for supporting President William Ruto's administration
• Raila claimed the COTU boss had abandoned workers but was instead championing the interests of rich people
• He wondered why Atwoli was praising the Kenya Kwanza government despite the many burdens the government had added to Kenyans

Narok - Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga has accused Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) secretary-general Francis Atwoli of abandoning workers.

What are Raila's plans with Francis Atwoli's role?

During his meet-the-people tour of Narok county on Sunday, September 4, the ODM leader said Atwoli had abandoned advocating for workers' plight but instead joined the government.

The ODM leader wondered who would fight for Kenyan workers if the trade unions went to bed with the Kenya Kwanza government.

According to the opposition chief, Atwoli is now the leading propagandist for President William Ruto's administration.

He alleged that the COTU boss has been at the forefront of announcing how the Ruto administration is moving in the right direction despite the many problems that Kenyans are going through.

"COTU Secretary-General have joined the government. Atwoli, whose job is to fight for the rights of the workers have now become a prostitute. He is in one bed with the government," Raila said

Raila threatened that the opposition coalition might be forced to take over Atwoli's role as the Union of Workers representative if he continues neglecting Kenyan workers.

"As Azimio, we are saying that we will take over Atwoli's role. We will fight for the rights of common citizens," the ODM leader added.

Francis Atwoli: Why Raila can't defeat Ruto in 2027

Elsewhere, Atwoli said it will be a toll order for the former prime minister to unseat President Ruto in the 2027 election.

Atwoli, who jumped ship to support Ruto after a long while of advancing a likely Raila presidency, implied that Ruto is shrewd and energetic to defend the seat.

Speaking in Vihiga on Saturday, September 2, when he graced the burial of a COTU official, the veteran trade unionist wondered the rationale of Ruto being trounced by Raila, yet that did not happen in 2022 when the latter had the backing of the state then under retired president Uhuru Kenyatta.

"How will you unseat Ruto? While with Uhuru Kenyatta, we sidelined Ruto, but he still came and floored us. So in 2027, where will we get the energy to take on him? Mimi nikikaa nikiamka nasikia uchungu, na Raila je? Ako na nguvu za kukimbizana na Ruto?( Let's speak the truth: I feel tired whenever I get up. What about Raila)?" Atwoli posed.