Atwoli Insists Ruto Will Not Win the 2022 Presidential Election

COTU secretary-general Francis Atwoli maintains that Deputy President William Ruto will not win next year’s presidential election.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKL show, Atwoli explained that a rift emerged in the executive arm of the government following the handshake between President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga in 2018.

The rift, he said, has led Ruto to publicly criticize the current regime and this will end up ruining his chances of succeeding President Uhuru.

“If you are a deputy aspiring to be a president in the future, you have to support the person currently in power until the end of his term. By doing so, he will also support your bid. You will improve your chances and if you stay humble you will easily get into office,” Atwoli said.

The trade unionist further noted that the fact that Ruto’s biggest competitor is Odinga makes it even more difficult for the deputy president to rise to power.

“Raila was called a government project but it is the other way round the government is Raila’s project. The man got into politics at the age of fourteen which means he is seasoned and adept when it comes to political matters. He is a very good strategist and the only way you can stop him is by employing an excellent contingency plan,” Atwoli said. 

He added: “I am saying this as a person and not as the COTU boss but if the elections were done today Raila will emerge victorious in the first round. He is the man to watch next year.”