A fiery online confrontation between has ensued between Francis Atwoli, and journalist-activist Hanifa Adan, popularly known as Honeyfarsafi.
The exchange, which unfolded on X over the past two days, centers on a column by Hanifa and Atwoli's scathing rebuttal, with the likes of Martha Karua weighing in.
The column titled "The Lie We Grow Up With: You're Tomorrow's Leaders," critiqued the stagnation of leadership in Kenyan institutions, specifically targeting COTU
She argued that organizations like COTU cling to outdated leadership models, stifling fresh perspectives and innovation.
"COTU clings to the same leadership without question, as if fresh leadership is a threat, not a necessity," she wrote.
In a strongly worded post Atwoli dismissed hanifa Adan as a "Super-Young-Con-Woman" and accused her of lacking the moral authority to lecture on leadership.
He pointed to allegations that she mismanaged money raised during the 2024 protests, claiming that many Gen-Z victims never received the promised support.
"It is publicly known that Hanifa pocketed millions of Kenyan shillings contributed by well-meaning Kenyans," he alleged.
In her rebuttal Hanifa said, "I accounted for the 31Million public money that I was in charge of. Something none of you simpletons in power have ever done. You're not even worthy to address me, you'll be tainting my good name."
The exchange escalated when Atwoli responded to Martha Karua, a Senior Counsel and leader of the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), who had defended Hanifa.
Karua, called Atwoli's attack "vicious" and "disproportionate," and accused her of spreading "false claims" about the 2015 murder of George Muchai, his former deputy at COTU-K.
"Her article may have rubbed you the wrong way but your response is by all standards disproportionate," she posted.
The online exchange has led to Atwoli facing thorough backlash for his long tenure and some serius allegations have been levelled against him.
