Atwoli to Raila: You had money, power but lost to Ruto

By Peter Ochieng

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leader, Raila Odinga has been urged to accept and move on from the 2022 presidential loss.

Francis Atwoli, Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary General said William Ruto outsmarted Odinga and his team to win the contest.

Atwoli is among leaders who supported Raila's 5th presidential bid.

Addressing Kenyans during Labour Day Celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi on Monday, Atwoli said Odinga's camp had power and money, but in the end they lost.

The ODM party leader also enjoyed the backing of then President, Uhuru Kenyatta.

“We had power. We had the money and all resources but Ruto managed to outsmart us,” Atwoli said.

Odinga has called for protests on Tuesday against President Ruto's administration. Atwoli said protests will not remove the Head of State from office.

“Someone please advise him that the demonstrations will not yield anything. What makes him think that maadamano will change the status quo? There are things that are irreversible and when they happen, you accept it."

He warned workers against participating in the demos on Tuesday.

“I want to ask workers not to go to the demonstrations. You will be sacked by your employers for absconding duty and it will be very difficult to defend someone who did not go to work because they went to maandamano,” said Atwoli.

President Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua have maintained that Raila has the right to organise for peaceful demos, warning against destruction of property or violence during the demos.