Francis Atwoli: William Ruto is a schemer; I slept knowing Raila had won

President-elect William Ruto (left) and COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park, Nairobi on May 1, 2017. [Beverlyne Musili, Standard]

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has hailed President-elect William Ruto as a tactful politician who plans ahead of time.

Speaking at a burial in Khwisero Constituency, Kakamega County on Friday, September 9, Atwoli said Ruto's political strategy proved superior to that of Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya, if the presidential election outcome is anything to go by.

Ruto, 55, will become Kenya's fifth president. He won the August 9, 2022 presidential election with 7.18 million of the votes (50.49 per cent), compared to Raila Odinga's 6.94 million (48.85 per cent).

Atwoli was an ardent supporter of Odinga's presidential candidature, which also enjoyed the blessings of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

"I was confident that Odinga would defeat William Ruto in the presidential election. On election day night, I slept knowing Odinga was ahead of Ruto. I never imagined I'd return to Kakamega to tell you to get used to William Ruto's voice as Kenya's fifth president," Atwoli told the mourners.

According to the COTU boss, God's plans are mysterious and cannot be challenged by humans.

"Ruto is a political schemer whose gamble paid off. It appears in Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, we were politically naive," he said.

Atwoli said the big crowds that attended Raila Odinga's political rallies suggested that a majority of Kenyans were supporting the former prime minister's presidential bid.

"It turns out that we were wrong to think so. The assurances some of the voters gave us did not materialise at the ballot box," he said.

The veteran trade unionist said Ruto defeated Odinga in strategy, especially in mobilising his supporters to vote, consolidating his strongholds and adopting a campaign message that resonated with many Kenyans.

Ruto, in the run-up to the August 9, 2022 presidential election, crafted his political campaign around hustlers.

Hustler is a term used in Kenya to refer to someone striving to make ends meet on a meagre payment or income. The hustler is a person who is hopeful of admirable economic success someday.

According to Atwoli, Ruto was spot on in his campaigns, messaging, charisma and energy.

"He had the right [mobilisation] skills. He was politically smart and alert. Honestly speaking, he outwitted us at the ballot box."

The trade unionist said he's left with no other choice but to work with Ruto, pledging to support him as he steers the country.

Atwoli has said he will rally members of COTU to attend Ruto's swearing-in at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 13.

Atwoli, who repeatedly in the past said he was certain Ruto won't become Kenya's president, recently backtracked on his words, stating that he knew Ruto had the qualities to occupy the top seat someday.

In a September 5 interview on NTV, Atwoli adopted a conciliatory tone, saying he was ready to work with Ruto's administration for the benefit of Kenyan workers.

"Whatever happened (a candidate not backed by the incumbent administration winning an election) could happen in any democracy. What I said about Ruto was in the context of competition, and [it] was within my constitutional rights [to say so]. This is the freedom our people died for," he said in the TV interview.

He expressed optimism that Ruto understood his remarks in the political context, saying it was unlikely that the incoming president would seek vengeance.

"Ruto has said before that he will not reflect back on who said what about him. We must accept that the fifth President of Kenya is Ruto, as he has gone through all the stages [to win an election]," he said.

"William Ruto is an articulate politician. I had foreseen him becoming the President of Kenya; I did not say he can't be a president. I am urging all Kenyans to rally behind him, give him an opportunity to form his government and support him," said Atwoli.

Ruto has pledged to steer Kenya to economic growth, debt reduction, social prosperity and transparent governance.

Atwoli urged Ruto be a unifying president who minds the welfare of all Kenyans, regardless of who voted for him.

"Ruto, in his campaigns, promised to improve the welfare of Luhya people. I'm glad that in his camp, he has leaders from the Luhya community. For instance, he has Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetangula and Ababu Namwamba. I'm optimistic that he'll fulfill his promises," he said.

At the same time, he said he was hopeful that a Ruto presidency "could be of great benefit to the Kenyan workers".

"His leadership could even be much better for the Kenyan workers than the previous administrations," said Atwoli.

Ruto will be deputised by former Mathira Member of Parliament (MP) Rigathi Gachagua.

The two ran on a joint United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party ticket.