Why Atwoli should concentrate on fighting for workers

The continuous criticism of Deputy President William Ruto by Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli over the ongoing debate on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) is baseless and unwarranted.

Mr Atwoli’s continuous negative outbursts on Ruto show he has abandoned workers to engage in baseless politics. It is sad that hundreds of workers are losing their jobs, including those in Mumias Sugar Company in Atwoli's backyard, but the Cotu boss seems unshaken by such moves yet it is his duty to agitate for workers' rights. 

Atwoli should not pretend to be more concerned about the DP’s future political situation than his supporters. It is laughable for Atwoli to continue telling Kenyans that President Uhuru Kenyatta will become the Prime Minister when his constitutional term ends in 2022 as if he is the one who dictates to Kenyans what should be done.

It is wrong for Atwoli to criticise Ruto for opposing the Building Bridges Initiative whose outcome is yet to be made public, yet he (Atwoli), on the other hand, is busy telling Kenyans to support BBI.

Ruto has made it clear, and it is in the public domain, that it is Kenyans who have the final say on whether to change the Constitution to create positions like that of the prime minister among others. But for the likes of Atwoli to move around the country telling Kenyans that the Constitution will be changed to create more leadership positions as if the process is a one-man show is unrealistic.

Instead of wasting his energy, time and resources talking negatively about the deputy president, the Cotu boss should simply commit such an opportunity to championing for the rights of workers who are losing jobs in their hundreds if not thousands because of the challenging economic times. 

Atwoli should not worry about Ruto’s political future, but should be more worried about the candidate of his choice when that time comes. He should stick to his lane and carry on with the activities the workers elected him to do and let Ruto help Uhuru discharge the mandate they were given by Kenyans.

The Cotu leader should concentrate on selling the policies and agenda of his presidential candidate ahead of the 2022 elections.