Atwoli now congratulates Wetangula on election as Speaker of National Assembly

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has congratulated newly-elected Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula.

In a rare gesture by the COTU boss who has long been at loggerheads with the former Bungoma Senator, Atwoli recognised the appointment saying it was a critical opportunity for the Western Kenya people.

“I want to congratulate Moses Wetangula who was elected yesterday as the Speaker of the National Assembly, the third in leadership. Hio ni nafasi kubwa sana kwa hii jamii yetu ya kibaluhya, na ataendelea hivyo na wengine ambao watakaowekwa katika wizara ya serikali,”Atwoli said.

Atwoli was speaking on Friday at a funeral service in Khwisero constituency, Kakamega County.

The outspoken leader who is a die-hard supporter of Raila Odinga and is affiliated with the Azimio One Kenya coalition similarly urged Kakamega residents to accept the election outcome and welcome the new leadership of President-elect William Ruto.

“We have accepted because Kenya is greater than all of us…Those are changes in a democratic country and we must accept them and support them in whatever they do,” he said.

During the campaign rallies before the August elections, Atwoli had consistently vowed that Wetangula would not be called a leader in Western Kenya where he also hails from.

In one of the instances, he said: “I will be there in Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Trans Nzoia…and there will be no escape route for Moses Masika Wetangula….”

His statement in the now-viral video has led to Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) trolling him over his past sentiments.

Here are some of the comments following Atwoli’s remarks on Friday.

Hon. Linet Chepkorir@L_Chepkorir said: “Atwoli please GIVE US A BREAK… You said very hurtful things and we forgive you but stop all this POLITICAL SYCOPHANCY. We can see beyond this public FACADE 😂,”

“Hii ndio wazungu husema "swallowing a humble pie" ama 😂😂😂,” Little Pal@LittlePal7 wrote.

“He knows how to redeem himself...huyu hawezi pata depression. Falling is not the issue but standing when you fall.. he's so quick to dust himself and move on,” Wilfred wang'endo@endo_wilfred added.