Deputy President William Ruto’s camp has critised Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli over remarks that the DP might resort to suicide upon defeat.
Earlier this week, Atwoli told Ruto’s staff to “cut all trees at his remote home in Sugoi because the ‘young guy’ will hang himself,” speaking in the presence of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Atwoli, according to Hussein Mohamed, the Head of Communications for Ruto’s campaign, trivializes death at a time when the country is seeing an increase in suicide cases.
“We understand our adversaries don’t get it because their alliance is made up of elites who want to keep the privileges they have at the expense of regular Kenyans,” he explained.
He chastised Atwoli for using suicide as a form of humour, while also criticizing the entire gathering for enabling such remarks to be said.
“Using death as a form of humour in electioneering at a national event, however, demonstrates how disconnected these elites are from the realities and difficulties of Kenyan hustlers. Mind-blogging is the source of disdain.”
Atwoli has now responded to Hussein, claiming that he does not speak for the Azimio movement but rather for Cotu, while also demanding that he be addressed properly.
“Someone should inform Hussein Mohamed that I am the Secretary-General of COTU(K). In Azimio, I have an office and I don’t have an office. If he wants to help JUDA, he should address me correctly “On Tuesday, he remarked in a tweet.
At a rally attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Atwoli boosted support for ODM leader Raila Odinga and insulted Ruto, declaring that he would not be president.
“I’d like to advise folks close to Ruto to cut down all trees near his house so he doesn’t commit himself after the general elections on August 9.”
