The Central Organization of Trade Unions COTU boss Francis Atwoli says he helped William Ruto become President Uhuru Kenyatta’s, deputy.
In an interview with KBC TV on Wednesday, August 25, the outspoken trade unionist said he played a critical role in the formation of the United Republican Party (URP), a political party William Ruto used to bargain for power-sharing prior to the 2013 presidential election.
“When he (Wiliam Ruto) wanted to form his political party, URP, he used to get people like (Mumias East MP Benjamin)Washiali monitoring from my house which is in Western province,” Atwoli said.
Prior to the hotly contested 2013 General Election, the second in command ditched Raila Odinga’s led party of ODM and launched the URP in January 2012.
A few months later, the URP party then ratified a pre-election deal with Uhuru Kenyatta’s then party of choice, The National Party (TNA).
The deal saw Uhuru pick the former Agriculture Minister as his running mate in the 2013 presidential election to secure a win against Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka who were their main competitors.
Atwoli who is considered the greatest critic of William Ruto however said he has no personal differences with the deputy president.
According to Atwoli, his ideological differences with Ruto emerged from a scandal that was reported at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
“I do not have a personal problem with Deputy President William Ruto, the problem that was there was because of my work back then at the NSSF,” he said.
The trade unionist further reiterated that he is not interested in seeking an elective post adding that he wishes to be a Sunday school teacher after his retirement as COTU boss.
“I have no interest in running for the presidency. This will be my last term as COTU Secretary General then retire. I will be a Sunday School teacher thereafter,” COTU boss Francis Atwoli said.
