Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Mr. Francis Atwoli, has promised to unveil a Luhya presidential flag bearer come the end of December.
Atwoli made the revelation when he addressed Christian faithful at St. Joseph Manyonyi Catholic in Lugari constituency where he presided over a fundraiser.
“I will unveil the person who, besides being the official spokesperson for the Luhya community, will also be the community’s presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections,” said Atwoli.
He disclosed the presidential candidate identification task had taken him several months and wide consultations with various stakeholders.
The COTU boss warned politicians against labelling the Luhya community electorate as the most divided in the country.
“The fact that a section of Luhya leaders democratically express divergent ideologies and opinions over certain issues should not imply the community was disunited,” remarked Atwoli.
Saying he had the goodwill of majority members of the community, the COTU boss vowed to stand against aspirants for various elective posts who will reject his presidential choice, who is set to be revealed on 31 December 2016.
“I will personally lead an onslaught against politicians who deny their support to the person I will unveil at the end of this month,” added Atwoli who has remained tight-lipped over the issue.
Amani National Congress (ANC) Leader, Musalia Mudavadi, United Democratic Party (UDP) Leader, Cyrus Jirongo and Ford Kenya Party Leader, Moses Wetangula are among those touted to receive Atwoli’s blessings.
Atwoli used the occasion to attack the Deputy President, William Ruto, accusing him of consistently undermining the electorate in the former western province.
“Each time the deputy president visits the region he doesn’t leave before he has abused our leaders, Mudavadi, Jirongo and Wetangula,” alleged COTU boss.
The DP’s habit, according to Atwoli, was creating bad blood between the Kalenjin and Luhya communities.
“Retired President Daniel Moi never abused the community in the entire 24 years he was at the helm of power,” he observed. Atwoli was accompanied by area legislator, Ayub Savula.
