COTU Bos Francis Atwoli says if presidential elections were decided on merits, he would be the president of the republic

Francis Atwoli has rejected the formation of a new opposition alliance, cautioning that tribal politics continues to shape Kenya’s leadership. In a statement issued on January 28, 2025, Atwoli, previously critical of President Ruto, addressed comments made by leaders during the inauguration of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) headquarters in Karen, Nairobi.

During the January 27 event, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accompanied by DAP-K leaders, pledged to make President Ruto a one-term leader by collaborating with like-minded Kenyans and other parties to address issues of misgovernance, corruption, and authoritarianism. Subsequently, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa disclosed on a local radio morning show on January 28 that the event signified the launch of their initiative to create an alternative government. “Yesterday was not just about unveiling party headquarters; it was about unveiling our new formation, our new coalition, and a new government,” Wamalwa stated.

However, Atwoli dismissed these efforts, pointing to historical examples. “Many formations emerged after section 2 (a) was removed from our constitution in 1992. Among the strongest was the coalition led by Jaramogi Odinga, Masinde Muliro, Matiba, Paul Muite, and Charles Rubia. Did it succeed in removing Moi from power? No,” Atwoli remarked. He accused the leaders of establishing political formations for personal financial gain. “I was part of Azimio, which was the largest formation, akin to what they seek to establish now. These formations are largely self-serving, often designed to extract money from supporters,” he added.

Atwoli attributed the prevailing political climate to tribal affiliations rather than issue-based governance. “If Kenyan politics were driven by issues, I would be the president of the Republic of Kenya today. The reality is that Kenyan politics is deeply rooted in ethnicity. When you unite tribes, you become president,” he explained. He also drew comparisons to Raila Odinga’s experience in forming the Azimio coalition leading up to the 2022 general elections.