The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has urged workers to ignore Tuesday planned protests by the opposition and go to work.
Speaking during this year’s Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Atwoli wondered what is the end game of the protests by Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
Atwoli warned the Kenyan workers they faced the sack if they stayed at home saying the protests which have been declared unlawful amounted to economic sabotage.
“Workers, please go to work on Tuesday, or you may be sacked because you went to protest. We must grow the economy and employ all those looking for jobs” he said.
He challenged Azimio members to move on and accept President William Ruto’s win just as he did saying the outcome is irreversible.
“What is the end game of Maandamano…. Raila did a lot for this country and we recognize him as a Kenyan leader” he stated.
“There are situations that are irreversible. Hii ni mambo ya Mungu (It is Gods doing) and when some things happen just accept and move on. I was with them and Maina Kamanda warned us that former President Uhuru Kenyatta will take us nowhere” Atwoli added.
He however appealed to the President to reach out to the opposition leader for the sake of the county’s stability.
“Your Excellency, go beyond where you are. Make sure you reach out to any of your political enemies to make sure that this country remains stable and we avoid this issue of maandamano” he advised.
Atwoli called on retired President Uhuru Kenyatta to steer clear of politics and pursue peace.
“I want former President Uhuru Kenyatta to become a peace-maker and not an activist. What makes us think that by going to the streets, we will change the status quo? Atwoli posed.
The opposition has insisted the protests would go on as planned.
