We even isolated Ruto and forced him to the opposition- Atwoli reveals how Azimio was formed, says he hasn’t called for dialogue.
COTU secretary general, Francis Atwoli has spoken on the current political weather in Kenya and what happened before the august 9 polls.
Speaking at aShop Stewards Preparatory Meeting, Atwoli highlighted that he was one of Azimio pioneers and he has not yet called for a dialogue between Raila Odinga and William Ruto.
He further questioned on why people are calling for a handshake, yet Raila Odinga and Ruto are two grown men who know what they are doing politically.
He stated,”I was at the forefront in forming Azimio and I have not indicated that people should have a dialogue.”
“Those people are above 18, how do you now ask them to meet?” He posed.
Atwoli stated that he supported Raila Odinga during the August polls because his union had chosen him as a representative.
He revealed that they ( Azimio la umoj) had a game plan, which started with President Ruto being thrown out of the executive and Uhuru Kenyatta join their camp.
He stated,”At Azimio, we had everything at our arsenal plus the willpower and intention to win the presidency.We even isolated Ruto and forced him to the opposition.”
“Uhuru was the chairman as well as president, but then Ruto outsmarted us as if we were sleeping,” he added.
Notably, Atwoli declared his stance on the ongoing demonstrations citing that with the state of the economy and Kenyans depending on their daily wage, Kenya does not need a protest right now.
He stated,”Most of our members are casuals and depend on daily wages so we cannot afford to go on demonstrations.”
“Furthermore, we told Ruto of our agenda and he gave us all that we asked for. Why would we then demonstrate? Atwoli posed.
His sentiments on a dialogue came days after the international communities called for it.
International communities expressed,”As friends and partners to Kenya, we are deeply concerned by the recent unrest and violence as well as the destruction of places of worship and property.”
“We, therefore, call on all leaders and all Kenyans to maintain peace, show restraint and work towards a swift resolution for the common good of Kenya,”they added.