Ruto minced meat to Raila, asserts Atwoli

• Oct 21, 2021

Firebrand Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli has told Deputy President William Ruto’s supporters that the man will not be Kenya's fifth President.

The trade unionist while speaking at a funeral service in Bungoma said Ruto even if he campaigns 24 hours will not beat ODM leader Raila Odinga in the presidential race.

 He asserted that his earlier assertions at a TV interview that Ruto will not be in the 2022 presidential ballot were taken out of context.

"Some people said that when I hinted that Ruto won't be on the ballot, I meant he would be dead. They misinterpreted my statement; I did not mean he would be dead. I will repeat it here for clarity; Ruto will not be the 5th President of Kenya. He will be there to see it pass. Kenyans will come out in their droves to cast their ballots and he will not win," Atwoli said.

He further stated that he will hold a mega Luhya meeting in Kakamega's Bukhungu stadium to direct the voters from the region on leaders to elect.

Atwoli added that on the December 31, 2021 event, he will draw a list of leaders aspiring for different positions, from the parliamentary seats to gubernatorial seats, that he wants the electorate to vote in come 2022.

His remarks rubbed Mathira Member of Parliament Rigathi Gachagua the wrong way.

Gachagua said the outspoken COTU boss is entitled to his own opinion and does not speak for the millions of Kenyans.

But Atwoli insisted the fact that Ruto’s biggest competitor on paper is Raila makes it even more difficult for him to win given the wealth of political experience that the ODM leader brings to the table.

“Raila was called a government project but it is the other way round the government is Raila’s project. The man got into politics at the age of fourteen which means he is seasoned and adept when it comes to political matters. He is a very good strategist and the only way you can stop him is by employing an excellent contingency plan,” Atwoli said.

“I am saying this as a person and not as the COTU boss but if the elections were done today, Raila will emerge victorious in the first round. He is the man to watch next year.”