The COTU leader hinted, when speaking in Kakamega County on Friday, that the union will surely be represented at Ruto’s inauguration ceremony, though he was unsure if he would go in person.

Francis Atwoli, the leader of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), has suggested that he would go to President-elect William Ruto’s inauguration on September 13, 2022.

The COTU head hinted that the trade union will surely be represented at Ruto’s inauguration ceremony on Friday while attending a funeral service in Khwisero constituency, Kakamega County, though he remained evasive on whether he would personally attend.

“Jumanne tutawakilishwa huko (swearing-in ceremony) na viongozi wa wafanyikazi kwa hivyo sisi tumekubali tutakuwa huko na tumeambia wafanyikazi wote waende huko,” said Atwoli.

Atwoli also went into detail on how Raila Odinga, the presidential candidate for Azimio la Umoja, was made to swallow his pride when the Supreme Court upheld the victory of president-elect Ruto in the election held on August 9.

Atwoli, a fervent Raila fan, was one of the most outspoken opponents of president-elect Ruto’s aspirations to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the State House in the days preceding the elections.

“Sisi tulienda kulala tukijua tumeshinda kumbe sisi tunafanya siasa bila ujuzi. William Ruto alikua na political skills na political smartness. He outsmarted us. We have to accept his win for the sake of having a peaceful nation where everyone co-exists,” he said.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank Raila; alikwenda mahakama na pia hata kama hakufurahia matokeo ya mahakama alisema amekubali uamuzi,” he added.