Francis Atwoli, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) secretary-general, has distanced himself from the ongoing Ford Kenya party wrangles which has pitted Bungoma senator, Moses Wetang’ula, against Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi.
In a telephone interview at a local radio station, Atwoli said he was not aware of the coup in the opposition party stating he never had a hand in it.
“I had no idea on the plot of the coup against Wetang’ula and I had no intention of planning any whatsoever,” he said. He, however, said if he had an idea and was granted an opportunity to partake in the coup against the Bungoma senator, he would have conspired in the act without hesitation or looking back.
The veteran trade unionist alleged Wetang’ula was playing the antagonist role in both the Mulembe nation and national matters.
“We recently met with Musalia Mudavadi during Madaraka Day celebrations at State House and I opened up to him about this. He does not participate in Senate elections and yet he has a responsibility vested upon him by Bungoma citizens,” he said.
He further accused the Ford Kenya party leader of what he termed as misleading Mudavadi to skip national meetings yet he was interested in uniting all the leaders.
“We had BBI meeting at Bukhungu in Kakamega while Wetang’ula had his own at Mumias,” Atwoli said. Wetang’ula who had been ousted as Ford Kenya party leader by Wamunyinyi in a bloodless coup last week, got a reprieve after the Registrar of Political Parties upheld his leadership pending her ruling.
Speaking of his retirement as a trade unionist, Atwoli clarified it was always his wish although the organisation never granted him one.
“I would love to go on retirement. In 2011, I wanted to retire but members objected and same applied to 2016,” he said adding that perhaps he may retire in September 2021. Atwoli also rebuked his critics for asking him to retire stating that his position was an elective post and one could serve as long as he wanted.
“I have not in any way blocked anybody who wishes to take after me and if there is any with evidence, then let them challenge me in the courts,” he said.
