Just a few days after the completion of the vetting of the Cabinet Secretary nominees, some leaders who were opposed to Musalia Mudavadi have been seen making efforts to join him.
The Secretay General for the Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU, Francis Atwoli, met the ANC boss Musalia Mudavadi. This comes after a long period of political hostility and ideological differences between the two.
In a Facebook post by Mudavadi on the 25th of October, 2022, he said he met with the COTU leader to discuss matters related to the unity and development of the Western Region.
“This afternoon, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli paid me a visit. We consulted on matters development and unity in Western Region. We agreed we have no option as leaders but to consolidate.” read the post.
During the period of campaigns, the ANC boss was part of the Kenya Kwanza team. Leaders from the Azimio-One Kenya Coalition kept throwing accusation after accusation at the leader. The only person who stood with him was the current speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula.
Atwoli’s decision to join Mudavadi has brought a mixed reaction from netizens. Some say he has taken a bold step by joining the government, while others say he should be reminded of what he did and said during the campaigns.
Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana was not surprised by the step taken by the COTU leader, saying it is for the benefit of the Luhya Community.
“I was not surprised when Atwoli turned up at Musalia Mudavadi Centre for a tee-a-tee. We have advised our bigger brother to reunite Luhyas, and he has been very categorical that he was committed to the course.” said Shinyalu MP.
COTU leader meeting Mudavadi is a sign of him working together with the government under President William Ruto’s leadership to ensure the workers’ rights are taken care of. This also makes a twist since Atwoli has supported the Azimio Leader Raila Odinga in his presidential bid in the just concluded elections.
