By James Wafula in Nairobi.
jackson.kairu@yahoo.com
Long serving Kenya veteran trade unionist Francis Atwoli who had kept claiming Kenya Deputy President Dr William Ruto could never become President of Kenya has now made about-turn- disowning his earlier statements and even congratulating the newly elected Kwanza President.
The fire spitting Atwoli who was speaking at a funeral in his native Khwisero in Kakamega lambasted some elements in the Azmio campaign team of former Prime Minister Hon. Raila Odinga for underestimating Ruto’s political skills.
“At one time i went to sleep expecting to wake up and find Raila President but who can know God’s plans?’ Atwoli told somber mourners many still shell shocked at the unexpected defeat of state backed Raila Odinga.
Atwoli was in Raila’s national campaign team and repeatedly traded harsh words with Ruto whom he at one time claimed would transfer the central bank to his native Sugoi family home if he “in the unlikely event” won the Presidency.
Early this year Atwoli told an international media workshop in Nairobi that he was confident of Raila succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta waving aside chances of Ruto capturing state power. The trade unionist even at one time vowed to fly to exile the next day if Ruto won the election and was sworn in as President.
A furious Deputy President Ruto at one time lost his usual cool and lambasted the trade unionist for his constant attacks asking him to concentrate on improving the welfare of his workers many groaning under meagre wages.
Mr Atwoli later declared that he could attend the swearing in of Presideent Ruto as the fifth President and asked Kenyans to support the new regime to ensure it delivers on its pledges made to Kenyans.
Mr Atwoli who is a brother in-law of Mr Odinga has been a fierce defender of the Raila-Uhuru handshake and has roundly campaigned vigorously for the Azmio side that had state backing but surprisingly lost. Even the petition Raila filed at the supreme court challenging Ruto’s win was miserably trashed■
