Monday, December 4, 2023 –Central Organisation of Trade Union COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has asked everybody to be responsible for the economic challenges bedeviling the country.
Through a video shared on Sunday December 4 while speaking somewhere in Western Region, Mr Atwoli said Ruto did not promise anyone anything but he was clear with his supporters that the government will grow through everyone’s input.
“Even currently, people are complaining of the high cost of living, price of things has gone up, oh we voted for this government but better William Samoei Ruto. He was very clear when he was campaigning. He told you ‘wewe mama mboga, wewe mtu wa boda boda’ and everybody that this government will build with you,” Atwoli stated.
On that note, Mr. Atwoli clarified that now the current administration cannot be blamed when it asks each one to make a contribution to the nation building course so that the economy can be revived fast.
“Sasa ukiambiwa leta mbao, leta jembe, let vitu tujenge hii serikali unarudi nyuma unasema heri tungepigia Raila Odinga. (When you are told to bring wood and a plow to help build the country, you go back and start saying you should have voted for Raila Odinga)”.
Complaining in Foreign Countries
The trade unionist who decamped from Raila’s Azimio camp added that he cannot be part of the people who go to the foreign countries and lament about Ruto or his government.
“I cannot join those people who go out there and start complaining about Ruto or his government. Let us accept that Ruto is there for five or even ten years. Let us learn to leave with that truth because, in life, there are some things you or me cannot change until the right time,” he added.
Mr. Atwoli said what Ruto is currently doing is asking Kenyans to bring resources to help him build the country as he had promised in campaigns.
Atwoli and Azimio in 2022
Atwoli is among the influential Kenyan leaders who strongly campaigned against President William Ruto’s 2022 bid.
He teamed up with the then President Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga, Martha Karua, David Murathe, Peter Kenneth, Charity Ngilu among scores of other leaders who were christened ‘the dynasties’.
Sadly, they were beaten by the then deputy president who had organized his team with the likes of Musalia Mudavadi, Dr. Alfred Mutua, Rigathi Gachagua, Kimani Ichung’wah, Ndindi Nyoro, Moses Wetang’ula, Governor Anne Waiguru among other youthful and vibrant politicians.