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Kenya: Can workers unions and COTU help Raila win presidency in 2022?

By Victor Abuso

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Posted on January 5, 2022 09:11

The leadership of Kenya’s Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), a national umbrella body of trade unions, says it is endorsing veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga’s bid to vie for presidency on 9 August this year.

On numerous occasions, COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli has been at the forefront, championing Raila’s run for presidency.

On 31 December 2021, Atwoli organised a political rally in the Western region to campaign for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader. “Workers support you because you support decent jobs,” he said. “Any knowledgeable trade unionist must know and be aware of what is expected of the next president.”

Atwoli challenged trade unionists to stand up and fight against corruption. “He [Raila] is a person who has shown us how he intends to grow the economy and expand employment opportunities.”

Prior to the rally, Atwoli had been among the top speakers during the 10 December 2021 event in Nairobi where Raila announced his bid to vie for presidency.

Picking apart Ruto

Atwoli said Kenya’s second in command, William Ruto, does not deserve to be president. “William

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