Drama as Atwoli Grabs Microphone From Azimio Senator
Saturday, Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi engaged in an altercation over who would be the first to welcome Azimio leader Raila Odinga to the podium.
The incident that occurred during the funeral of COTU Chairman Rajab Mwondi in Vihiga County occurred when Osotsi, who was addressing the mourners, deviated from the program and decided to welcome Vihiga Deputy Governor Wilberforce Kitiezo instead of Raila after Kitiezo completed his speech.
Atwoli, enraged by the turn of events, stormed the podium and forcibly seized the microphone from the Senator, insisting that the schedule must be adhered to and claiming that he was responsible for inviting the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader to address the mourners.
“This is COTU’s funeral so we will follow our programme,” Atwoli remarked.
“But he is the Deputy Governor of Vihiga?” Osotsi retorted wondering why Kitiezo should not be granted a chance to speak.
As mourners chanted in support of the COTU leader, there was an immediate chorus of booing from the audience.
During his speech, Osotsi reaffirmed that the ODM was the most popular political party in the region while criticizing the government’s efforts to make inroads.
According to the lawmaker, the government will fail in its attempts to persuade residents to transfer allegiances.
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In a swift rebuttal, Atwoli asserted that Raila’s closest allies were to blame for duping him into adopting specific strategies, such as mounting massive anti-government demonstrations.
“People keep lying to my friend that we need to go to the streets for things to be done, that is not how it is. The Supreme Court already gave their verdict and it should be followed,” Atwoli said.
Raila, on the other hand, accused Atwoli of abandoning his primary responsibility, which is to defend the rights of Kenyan employees, to engage in politics.
According to Raila, the head of the COTU should be in the vanguard of employees’ anti-government demonstrations.
Raila also attacked President William Ruto, criticizing him for his’mambo ni matatu’ remarks, which have been interpreted as threats to sugar industry tycoons headed by the billionaire industrialist Jaswant Rai.
The former prime minister deemed such remarks impolite and irresponsible.
“This is a very reckless talk coming from the president. We need to come together for the economic growth of the country and the promotion of peaceful co-existence,” Raila stated.
After the August 2022 elections, this was the first occasion the ODM leader and the COTU head shared a podium.
Drama as Atwoli Grabs Microphone From Azimio Senator