Francis Atwoli Backs Uhuru’s Criticism of Ruto, Says Former President Failed to Fully Support Raila

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has appeared to agree with former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent criticism of President William Ruto’s leadership, even as he added his own sharp political observations.

The veteran trade unionist said Uhuru had every reason to speak out, especially after the Mt Kenya region ignored his advice during the 2022 General Election and overwhelmingly voted for Ruto.

Uhuru had earlier faulted Mt Kenya voters for failing to listen to his political guidance when he urged them to support the late Raila Odinga.

According to the retired president, that decision led the country into what he described as poor leadership, growing corruption concerns, and the worrying trend of youth abductions. He urged the region not to repeat the same political choice in the 2027 elections.

Reacting to those remarks, Atwoli largely validated Uhuru’s concerns, saying the former president genuinely wanted Raila to take over but did not put enough effort into making that vision succeed.

Rather than dismissing Uhuru’s criticism, Atwoli used the moment to explain why he believes Raila lost in 2022. He said Uhuru’s public endorsement was not matched by serious political mobilisation on the ground.

According to Atwoli, one of the biggest weaknesses in Raila’s 2022 campaign was the lack of clear direction from Uhuru’s side.

He explained that many leaders who were actively campaigning for Azimio never received proper coordination, strategic meetings, or direct guidance from the former president.

In his view, Uhuru seemed supportive in public, but behind the scenes there was little visible effort to unite the campaign machinery and energise grassroots teams across the country.

The outspoken union boss said this gap in leadership created confusion within the Azimio camp at a critical moment.

While Uhuru may have strongly wished to see Raila become president, Atwoli argued that goodwill alone could not translate into victory without practical planning, mobilisation, and visible leadership.

He further suggested that Uhuru’s current criticism of Ruto should also serve as a lesson in political organisation.

In his view, the former president was right to warn voters about leadership choices, but the 2022 outcome also reflected the failure of Raila’s own support system to fully capitalise on Uhuru’s endorsement.

At the same time, Atwoli maintained that Kenya’s political reality has since changed significantly, saying President Ruto now appears firmly in control ahead of the 2027 race.

He argued that even if Uhuru were to back another candidate in the next election, that support alone would not be enough unless it is backed by strong grassroots structures and a well-organised national campaign.

In his broader message, Atwoli seemed to agree with Uhuru’s warning to voters: leadership decisions carry long-term consequences, and political endorsements must be supported by action, strategy, and direct engagement with the people. That, he suggested, is the real lesson both leaders and voters should take into the 2027 elections.

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