Atwoli grabs microphone from Senator
Atwoli grabs microphone from Senator
Atwoli grabs microphone from Senator
On Saturday, there was a brief altercation after Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli got into it over who would get to introduce Azimio leader Raila Odinga to the podium.When Osotsi, who was addressing the mourners at the funeral of COTU Chairman Rajab Mwondi in Vihiga County, decided to deviate from the script and welcome Vihiga Deputy Governor Wilberforce Kitiezo with the intention of welcoming Raila after Kitiezo finished his speech, the incident occurred.
Angered by the unexpected turn of events, Atwoli stormed the podium and took the senator’s microphone by force, insisting that the program must be followed and that it was his responsibility to invite the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to address the mourners.We will stick to our schedule since this is COTU’s funeral, Atwoli said.
“But isn’t he the Deputy Governor of Vihiga?” In response, Osotsi questioned why Kitiezo shouldn’t be given the opportunity to speak.Soon after, the mourners present screamed in support of the COTU leader, drawing a chorus of boos from the audience.
Osotsi criticized the government for trying to gain ground while reiterating that ODM was the favored political party in the area during his speech. The politician asserts that the government’s efforts to persuade the populace to change their allegiance will fail.Atwoli quickly retorted that Raila’s close associates were to fault for duping him into employing specific tactics, such as organizing the large-scale anti-government demonstrations.”People keep telling my friend that we must go to the streets in order to accomplish things, but that is not how it works. It is important to abide with the Supreme Court’s ruling, according to Atwoli.
On the other hand, Raila claimed that Atwoli had abandoned his primary goal of defending the rights of Kenyan workers in favor of becoming heavily involved in politics.According to Raila, the COTU leader should take the initiative in organizing the anti-government demonstrations in support of the workforce. President William Ruto was also criticized by Raila for his “mambo ni matatu” comments, which were seen as threats against businessmen in the sugar industry, including Jaswant Rai, a billionaire businessman.Such comments, according to the former prime minister, were irresponsible and in poor taste.
“The president is speaking in a very rash manner. For the sake of the nation’s economic development and the promotion of peaceful coexistence, we must band together, Raila said.After the elections in August 2022, this was the first time the ODM leader and COTU leader had stood on the same podium.
