Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has declared that Kenya currently lacks a genuine opposition following the death of veteran politician Raila Odinga.

Speaking during a televised interview on Wednesday night, January 7, 2025, Atwoli argued that Raila’s exit marked the end of an era defined by mass mobilisation, street protests, and sustained pressure on the government, traits he said no current opposition figure possesses.

“After Raila Odinga, there is no opposition in Kenya. You want to tell me that there is somebody in Kenya today who can take people to the streets? Who can give Kenyans a free holiday like Raila Amollo Odinga did?” Atwoli questioned.

Raila’s ability to mobilise

Atwoli described Raila as a unique political force whose ability to mobilise citizens and challenge the state set him apart from all other leaders in the country’s history.

According to the outspoken trade unionist, no current opposition figure has demonstrated the capacity to replicate that style of leadership.

Kalonzo’s suitability

While addressing the position of Wiper Patriotic Front Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Atwoli offered a mixed assessment, praising his character and integrity but questioning his effectiveness as an opposition chief.

He went on to describe Kalonzo as a calm, trustworthy, and deeply principled leader, highlighting his diplomatic credentials and personal virtues.

Despite his reservations, Atwoli maintained that Kalonzo remains a viable presidential contender if Kenyans so choose.

“Kalonzo Musyoka is a good man, and it is me who told Raila to let Kalonzo Musyoka be the leader of the opposition. This is a good man; he is a diplomat, he is a person who can be a priest, he can be a person who can pray for anybody, and he is a man that you can trust with whatever you have. But he is not best suited to say that he is the person who can be the leader of the opposition in this country. If Kenyans want, he can be the president,” Atwoli said.