Atwoli to Uhuru: Ruto made you president return the favour

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli / FILE 

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has called on former President Uhuru Kenyatta to support his successor William Ruto, arguing that the current Head of State played a key role in his rise to power.

Atwoli invoked his long history in Kenya’s political landscape, saying he had worked with successive administrations dating back to the era of Jomo Kenyatta.

He noted that he had also engaged closely with the governments of Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki, as well as Uhuru, during his tenure.

“Our former president, son of my friend the late Jomo Kenyatta, I worked with him and his father. I worked with President Moi, Kibaki and even Uhuru, helping him with union duties. Someone should tell him to help Ruto,” Atwoli said.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) boss argued that political goodwill should be reciprocal, adding that Ruto was instrumental in Uhuru’s presidency.

“He would not be President without Ruto’s support,” Atwoli stated, in remarks that are likely to reignite debate over the fallout between the two leaders.

Uhuru and Ruto governed together for nearly a decade under the Jubilee administration before their alliance fractured towards the end of Uhuru’s second term.

The split reshaped Kenya’s political landscape, culminating in a fiercely contested 2022 election that saw Ruto ascend to the presidency.

Speaking recently, Uhuru urged political leaders to prioritise service, unity and integrity.

The former President said that Kenyans are increasingly demanding leadership that delivers rather than rhetoric marked by insults and division.

Uhuru was speaking on Wednesday during the burial of former Kirinyaga Senator Daniel Karaba at Njega Primary School in Kirinyaga County, where he joined family, leaders and mourners in paying tribute to the late legislator.

He stated that the country’s progress hinges on unity and principled leadership, calling on those in positions of power to serve selflessly.

“Be leaders, that is what the people of Kenya want. They want leadership, not politics or insults. They want direction and leadership that will see them through to the other side. Our country needs unity for us to have peace, stability and progress. It needs leaders of integrity, leaders who are there to serve their people. By serving your people, you are serving your God,” Uhuru said.

The former Head of State cautioned against selfish leadership, urging politicians to focus on the collective good of all Kenyans.

Ruto pushed back against critics, declaring that leadership is determined by God and not human influence, in remarks that sharpen the political debate ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Sunday in Narok, Ruto dismissed claims by his opponents, saying no individual has the power to decide who leads the country.

“What you said is yours, but what is bound to happen is God’s wish. No matter the level of influence you have, you will not decide. It is God who will decide. That is the truth as it is,” he said.

The President said some leaders mistake their own opinions for God’s will, while others lecture Kenyans on what should happen politically.