By James Wafula in Nairobi.
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Mr Francis Atwoli has once again lambasted Kenya’s Deputy President of nine years Mr William Ruto saying he should never be allowed to President of Kenya. Mr Atwoli was speaking last month as chief guest at opening of East African journalists conference at New Stanley Hotel, Nairobi. He castigated Mr Ruto of “day dreaming” of becoming President in 2022 elections.
The three – day conference was organized by the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) in conjunction with the Brussels – based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Participants came from journalists’ unions in Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Rwanda, Sudan, Burundi, Djibouti and hosts Kenya. Firing from both hips, the combatant Atwoli who later hosted delegates to a cultural Gala night at the posh Carnivore gardens, accused Ruto of being a “big thief’ who will transfer the Central bank of Kenya to Sugoi if elected.
The COTU boss urged Kenyans to beware the “charms of the man from Sugoi” saying he is the least qualified and should retire like his boss Uhuru once their “joint ticket” expires
He wondered why Uhuru should retire and leave Ruto in office to continue ‘looting state coffers”, adding that the two have shared power for two terms of five years each. “Why should the President retire and leave Ruto “in office”. He must also go home because his time is up,” he said. Most political watchers agree that the verdict of the courts on BBI could likely determine the outcome of the 2022 transition polls barely a year away and whose main frontrunner are ODM leader Raila Odinga and DP Ruto. Others are ANC Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and KANU’s Gideon Moi. But the main opposition figures in the country Hon. Gideon Moi, (KANU) son to former Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi(Rip), Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka and Hon. Moses Wetangula , have all rallied support for Mr Raila Odinga, who is backed strongly by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mr Atwoli widely reputed to be Luhya-land influential kingmaker through periodically annointing community “spokesman”, is a fierce advocate of unity in the mulembe nation and an ardent supporter of Odinga a four time Presidential aspirant whom he calls “shemeji’ brother in-law. At one time Atwoli was behind a move to “extend Mr Uhuru Kenyatta’s term” saying he was too young to retire at 61 next year but the President has come out several times to categorically rule out any attempt to breach the two term limit and allow any extention. Mr Kenyatta told both local and international press that Kenyans are “unequivocal’ on the two term limit and he would not be the first president to abrogate it. Lately there has been speculation that if the appeal court allows BBI to proceed, and a national referendum before the 2022 Presidential election, there could be a likelihood of moving this forward meaning an “extension” of Uhuru’s tenure.
This has been roundly rejected by Uhuru handshake partners ODM who insist the date “anchored in the constitution” as August 8 of every fifth year is “cast in stone.” For the first time in 60 years the Mount Kenya region that has produced three of Kenya’s four Presidents, two from Kiambu County a father and son, has no front runner or heir apparent after Uhuru ruled out grooming or supporting anyone. Uhuru also trashed a pre-election 2012 deal with his DP Ruto preferring to be a neutral arbiter who would step down and hand power to whoever wins the top position held by only four men since independence from colonial Britain in 1963. Currently Uhuru enjoys close ties with his once former bitter rival Mr Odinga with whom they nurtured the BBI many thought was a clever initiative to create a new position for Kenyatta to “succeed” himself in 2022 Russian Putin style. The power sharing rooted by BBI if given a go ahead would be tragic for Ruto’s presidential ambitions■
