Atwoli: It’ll be difficult to beat Ruto in 2027
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli says the re-election of President William Ruto in 2027 is guaranteed.
Speaking during a church service in Bungoma town on Sunday, August 27, the outspoken trade unionist said it would be difficult to beat the Kenya Kwanza leader in the next general election.
According to Atwoli, nothing would stop the Kenya Kwanza wave in 2027 having defied the odds to beat the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition in last year's poll.
Atwoli, who rallied members of the populous Luhya community to vote for Azimio leader Raila Odinga in the last general election, said the Western region would back Ruto's re-election bid in the next poll.
"Sisi tulikuweka kando ukatoka kando ukapita sisi ambao tulikuwa na president (Uhuru Kenyatta). 2027 tutaweza wewe namna gani? Mimi nataka kuambia watu wetu mambo ya 2027 sisi tumetoka huko," Atwoli told Ruto who attended the church function.
Loosely translated, "We sidelined you but you managed to beat us even with the backing of President Uhuru Kenyatta. How will we beat you in 2027?" I want to tell my people that we have moved on."
Atwoli further distanced himself from recent anti-government protests, saying leaders organising the demonstrations were "jobless".
Atwoli swiftly switched allegiance to President Ruto after Raila narrowly lost to the Kenya Kwanza candidate in August last year.
Atwoli, a former ardent critic of President Ruto, pledged to work with the President to fulfil his campaign manifesto even as other Azimio honchos claimed Raila was rigged out.
Atwoli's comments come a day after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua shared similar sentiments.
Speaking in Busia on Saturday, the country's second in command said President Ruto would easily be re-elected because of his solid track record.
''I can see that you have some network, if our president defeated Uhuru (retired President Uhuru Kenyatta) who was with the chiefs and police in 2022, do you think he can lose in 2027? It will be a walkover,'' Gachagua stated.
Gachagua is accompanying Ruto to a five-day working tour in the Western region.
He urged Busia leaders to abandon Raila and rally behind the Kenya Kwanza administration for the benefit of the region.
''The future of this country is in Ruto, the other side is full of darkness,'' he added.
