The Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Francis Atwoli has disagreed with Azimio One Kenya Coalition party leader Raila Odinga on the assertion that President William Ruto is becoming a dictator.
On Saturday, November 26, Atwoli stated that the country is far from being autocratic.
“We are not a dictatorial state, we are nothing near there yet. Those who are saying Ruto is a dictator are leaders at political space, let them talk because that is what they fought for,” Atwoli said.
In an unexpected turn of events, Atwoli, who was a harsh critic of Ruto in the run-up to the elections, went on to praise him.
“This current government has promoted free speech, the president has not castigated anyone for criticizing him,” Atwoli praised Ruto.
He went on to warn politicians not to make remarks that could disrupt the country’s peace.
“Let people say what they want to say but we are not a dictatorial state and they should make sure their remarks do not upset the peace we are enjoying now,” he warned.
Raila argued on November 25 that Ruto was enacting jungle rules in preparation for the 2027 general elections while defending IEBC commissioners facing petitions in parliament.
“The rule of law must prevail and not your jungle laws that you want to institute so as to subjugate Kenyans to a conveyor belt system of elections come 2027,” Raila said.
On November 18, Narc Kenya Party leader and Azimio principal Martha Karua accused the president of leading the country toward dictatorship.
“We have seen in recent months’ cases being withdrawn, of fraud and others where the suspects are the people in power… Something is cooking in Kenya, and this is the making of a dictatorship,” Karua sounded a warning.
