COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has sparked a heated online debate after a televised interview in which he made startling claims about his eldest son, Prof. Lukoye Atwoli, describing him as someone who does not believe in God and practices rituals.
What did Francis Atwoli say about his son? The clip, shared on TikTok, was recorded on the set of Sunday Live, where Atwoli sat down with veteran media personality Jeff Koinange.
“I’m not a type of my, my elder son who doesn’t believe in God. He has a cult. He’s a ritualistic boy. And those rituals, even if he went to school, he will get them out of his head. We will get it out of his head. Yeah. Cause I’m still strong,” Atwoli said during the interview.
The timing of the clip’s viral spread has made it all the more striking. Just days before it began circulating widely, Prof. Lukoye Atwoli cremated his wife, Maureen Nyadida, who had lost her battle with cancer.
The psychiatrist and Dean at a local university has long been regarded as a respected public figure in Kenya’s medical and academic circles.
Atwoli, who is known for his outspoken nature as the Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions, made no effort to soften his words, insisting that despite his son’s age and standing, he retains the paternal authority and physical vigour to steer him back towards religious belief.
Watch the video below:
@nashaogada “My £lder S0n doesn’t Believe in G0d, he has a Cu!t.” Atwoli Francis #viral #kenyantiktok🇰🇪 #trending #politics #fyp ♬ original sound – Nasha Ogada
Kenyans weigh in on Atwoli’s claims
The video ignited a wave of reactions across social media, with Kenyans divided over whether the elder Atwoli had overstepped:
@Deedan said:
“Dr Lukoye Atwoli. Good dude though.”
@Francis Mugada said:
“A father dismantling a dean of a university. I feel for the son.”
@Jaymo said:
“Atwoli is calling an old man a boy. 🤣”
@ngutimuia said:
“But Atwoli is also misbehaving. Lukoye is old enough to make his own independent decisions.”
@DannyLite said:
“Ritualistic means he follows practices of our ancestors.”
@Hussain Hassan453 said:
“He loves the boy.”
@barbzbree said:
“Atwoli this is so wrong.”
