Ajabu Africa News

PHOTO:

Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli speaks to the press at his office in Gikomba on January 31, 2018. /Joseph Ndunda

By:

JOSEPH NDUNDA

Posted:

Feb,02-2018 00:26:38

Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi are "irredeemable cowards", Francis Atwoli has said following their absence at NASA's swearing-in ceremony.

Raila was inaugurated as the people's president at a well-attended event on Tuesday but his co-principals were not there.

This sparked fallout claims but the two and Moses Wetang'ula issued a statement saying they remained "strong and united" and would not relent in their push for electoral reforms.

Atwoli, who is Cotu secretary general said president Uhuru Kenyatta should dialogue with Raila and lock out Kalonzo, Mudavadi (NASA chief campaigner and ANC leader) and Moses Wetang'ula (Bungoma senator and Ford Kenya party leader).

He said the three betrayed Raila by giving his swearing-in a wide berth, a sentiment shared by Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo.

Atwoli further termed the three opportunists who can't take any risks and who developed cold feet in the last hour, therefore pulled out of the much-awaited event.

On Tuesday evening, the three claimed they were barred by police but police have denied this claim.

"I said it in Kisumu in 2007 when Kalonzo ditched Raila. He said 'nitapitia katikati yao(I will pass through them)". That was a betrayal of social justice because you [Kalonzo] are a coward and you will never be a leader."

He added: "Mudavadi is like a pig that returns to garbage immediately after you clean it. These are not leaders but opportunists and Uhuru should not be shaken by these guys [Kalonzo and Mudavadi]. That's the truth of the matter.

"I don't see why Uhuru should not engage Raila and reach a compromise in order to accommodate millions of his (Raila) supporters and move in one direction."

Atwoli further said yesterday's event was a good test for Kenyans "to see some of the political opportunists who would vanish in case of risks.

"Most of the people walking around engaging in politics are opportunists because when the time comes and you tell them 'there is the live wire, let's see who can touch it', they will disappear."

The Cotu leader noted 100, 000 people lost their jobs between August and November last year when the two presidential elections took place.

Atwoli also faulted Uhuru for shutting down mainstream TV stations to prevent the live broadcast of Raila's event.

Source:

The Star