COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has praised Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as a trustworthy and principled leader, but cast doubt on his suitability to lead Kenya’s opposition.
Speaking on #JKLive on Citizen TV on Wednesday, Atwoli said that after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, there is effectively no strong opposition leadership in the country. He revealed that he personally advised Raila to allow Kalonzo Musyoka to assume the role of Leader of the Opposition, citing his integrity and diplomatic credentials.
Atwoli described Kalonzo as “a good man” with strong moral standing, saying he is a diplomat, a peace-loving individual and someone Kenyans can trust with responsibility. He added that Kalonzo possesses qualities of a spiritual leader, noting that he is someone who can pray for others and be relied upon in sensitive matters.
However, the veteran trade unionist argued that despite these virtues, Kalonzo is not best suited for the confrontational and combative nature required of an opposition leader in Kenya’s political landscape. According to Atwoli, opposition leadership demands a different kind of political toughness.
At the same time, Atwoli did not rule out Kalonzo’s suitability for the presidency, stating that if Kenyans so decide, the Wiper leader could competently serve as President of the Republic of Kenya.
Atwoli’s remarks have sparked debate within political circles, especially as the country slowly gears towards the 2027 General Election and discussions intensify around opposition leadership and succession politics.
