Gachagua recounts surprise State House encounter with Atwoli after 2022 polls
By Kenneth Mwenda, May 5, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revived tensions from the 2022 election period, claiming that Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, who strongly opposed the Kenya Kwanza team during campaigns, later surfaced at State House in what he described as a surprising political turnaround.
Speaking on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, during the National Reflections forum held after Labour Day and the launch of the Labour Market and Worker Welfare Report 2026 at Radisson Blu, Nairobi, Gachagua said he could not understand Atwoli’s political shift after what he termed harsh campaign attacks.
“I cannot understand. He is just after his own stomach,” Gachagua said.
He recalled that during the 2022 campaigns, Atwoli openly opposed William Ruto’s presidential bid and made statements predicting defeat.
“I remember when we came into office with William Ruto in 2022, Atwoli had been on record campaigning for Azimio and even advising that the president should look for a tree in Sugoi where he would hang himself because he would lose,” he said.
Gachagua said he was shocked when he later found Atwoli inside State House shortly after the Kenya Kwanza government took office.
“I could not believe it when I found him at State House when we went in,” he said. “He was there laughing and dancing in the corridor.”
According to Gachagua, Atwoli was introduced to the president by senior leaders in the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
“He was brought by Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula to see William Ruto,” he said.
Gachagua said he directly questioned President Ruto about Atwoli’s presence given his earlier remarks during campaigns.
“I asked William Ruto, how come Atwoli is here? I thought this man said you should look for a tree in your compound to hang yourself because you cannot be president,” he said.
He claimed the president responded casually, suggesting political flexibility was part of Kenya’s system.
“He laughed sheepishly and told me, ‘Rigathi, you don’t seem to understand this country. Every man has a price,’” Gachagua said.
Atwoli accused of betrayal
He further accused Atwoli of abandoning workers and aligning himself with those in power for personal gain.
“Atwoli is a useless man. He just wants money, and that is why he is here,” he said. “He has abandoned the workers. He is now the lead praise singer of the President’s praise and worship team.”
Gachagua said the COTU boss had shifted from critic to supporter, while workers continued to face hardship.
“He is the lead soloist. He sings with both bass and soprano to praise a system that has made the lives of workers difficult,” he said.
He added that labour leadership had failed Kenyan workers and called for the creation of an alternative workers’ organisation.
“To workers of Kenya, since you seem unable to remove these men, it is time you created another organisation to champion your interests,” he said. “You do not have to remain in COTU.”
Gachagua said such a body could be registered despite expected resistance from state institutions.
“I know the registrar of trade unions will frustrate registration, but get your paperwork in order,” he said. “Next year in October, when we are in office, we shall register a new organisation.”
Ruto’s foreign claims questioned
Gachagua shifted focus to broader national concerns, criticising what he termed Kenya’s declining international image and governance failures.
He claimed that the country had been embarrassed by diplomatic controversies involving Sudan and questioned Kenya’s foreign engagements.
He also turned his criticism to President William Ruto, accusing him of misleading citizens on development projects.
“William Ruto has launched fake projects here in Kenya. He keeps announcing projects that do not exist,” Gachagua said.
He extended the accusation to regional diplomacy, citing Ruto’s visit to Tanzania.
“He has become so bold that he is now announcing non-existent projects in a neighbouring country,” he said.
Gachagua pointed to claims about an oil refinery project in Tanga, Tanzania, saying the announcement was made without confirmation from the host government.
“You know, it’s so embarrassing to our country that a President from Kenya goes to Tanzania to announce that there will be a project in Tanga for oil refinery when the President of the country is not even aware of such a project?” he posed. “It is embarrassment and impunity.”
He said such actions were damaging Kenya’s reputation abroad and misleading citizens at home.
The remarks added to ongoing political tension between Gachagua and sections of the Kenya Kwanza leadership, as debate continues over governance, labour rights and political loyalty within the ruling coalition.