Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has dismissed plans for a new opposition alliance, warning that tribal politics continues to determine Kenya’s leadership.

In a statement released on January 28, 2025, Atwoli, a former critic of President Ruto, responded to remarks made by leaders during the launch of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) headquarters in Karen, Nairobi.

During the event on January 27, 2025, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua flanked by other DAP-K leaders vowed to ensure President Ruto becomes a one-term president through partnerships with like-minded Kenyans and other parties to liberate the country from what he termed as bad governance, corruption, and dictatorship.

Consequently, in a local radio morning show on January 28, 2025, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa further revealed that the event marked the beginning of their journey toward establishing an alternative government.

“Yesterday was not just unveiling party headquarters. It was unveiling our new formation. It will be our new coalition and its new government,” Wamalwa said.

However, Atwoli dismissed these plans, citing historical precedent.

“So many formations started when section 2 (a) was removed from our constitution in 1992 if you remember, the most powerful one of Jaramogi Odinga, Masinde Muliro, Matiba, Paul Muite, Charles Rubia, this was the strongest formation. Did it remove Moi from power? No,” Atwoli said.

The COTU boss accused the leaders of creating political formations for financial gains.

“I was in Azimio, we had the largest formation like what they want to form now. All these types of formations you’re seeing are self-decorative formations; some for collecting money from sympathizers,” he added.

Atwoli attributed the situation to Kenya’s tribal-based politics rather than issue-based governance.

“If Kenyan politics was being decided on issues, today Atwoli would be the president of the Republic of Kenya. Kenya’s politics is pinged and pegged on ethnicity. Once you organize tribes, you’re the president,” he said.

He drew parallels with Raila Odinga’s experience in forming the Azimio coalition before the 2022 general elections.

“Ignore these people, they’re just joking. Have we seen any politician who can recruit and organize politicians like Raila? And has Raila become a president at any given time?” Atwoli asked.

Major political alliance

Speaking on January 28, 2025, Wamalwa noted that the leaders present at the event were just the initial representatives, as plans were underway to welcome more parties into the coalition.

“Yesterday (Monday, January 27, 2025) was not just an unveiling party headquarters. It was unveiling our new formation. It will be our new coalition and its new government. The election journey started yesterday too, with the IEBC selection panel being set up. As the opposition, we say we want to give Kenyans a better option. As they broaden the government, we are also broadening the opposition,” he said

“We are not limited to the four leaders you saw: Fred Matiang’i, Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, and ourselves. Others will also join us to form a winning coalition, which will be launched soon.”