Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has expressed confidence at ODM Leader Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) top seat.
Speaking on Wednesday night, April 10, 2024 while appearing on Citizen TV's JK Live, Atwoli proclaimed that efforts made by President William Ruto will win Raila the AUC chairman position.
He commended the head of state for his public declaration supporting Odinga's AUC bid.
“Raila is a member of ODM but when Ruto got information Raila wanted to become chairman of the African Union, he just said toa hiyo meza, nipe jacket, he is out without a formal agreement, without a handshake, taking everybody unaware including those in Azimio, ODM and Kenya Kwanza moved fast and supported the move,” he said.
“On Ruto’s efforts, Baba will get it. With these efforts William is making, he is going to get it.”
Atwoli further thanked the president for setting aside political differences to campaign for Odinga's bid across the continent.
President Ruto recently visited the West African nations of Ghana and Guinea - Bissau, both of which agreed to support Odinga's bid.
“Nobody invited William Ruto. He decided as a Kenyan, that if this is a Kenyan, through your weight on him,” Atwoli said.
“We now have a proposer, a seconder and supporters on the efforts Willam Ruto has made. He has taken over the whole of West Africa and Central African Republics…you cannot go there and say that because these are French-speaking countries and am a candidate they will vote for me.”
However, should Odinga fall short in his AUC quest, Atwoli noted that he is beloved by members of the public and will be accepted back into the country's political arena.
“If he doesn’t he is a Kenyan, he will still come back home, what will have to happen? This country is bigger than all of us if you get one favor from a head of state to support you, it does not mean if you lose that favour the country will go down under,” Atwoli noted.