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Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga has told off trade unionist Francis Atwoli over his utterances that opposition leaders involved in recent anti-government demonstrations against the cost of living and electoral injustices were jobless.

Speaking at a burial ceremony in Vihiga County on Saturday, the opposition chief rubbished Atwoli’s remarks, saying top Azimio leaders who were at the forefront of recent street demonstrations hold various offices.

Raila said the leaders were not after jobs in the Kenya Kwanza administration as alluded to by the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) secretary general and high-ranking officials in President William Ruto’s government.

He reminded Atwoli that he is the party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party, a political outfit with a nationwide presence.

At the same time, Raila told Atwoli that former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya holds the position of deputy leader in the ODM Party.

Raila also reiterated that he was not interested in sharing power with Ruto but in the truth about the disputed August 2022 presidential results.

 The former prime minister insisted that only an audit of the electoral servers would end the current stand-off between the opposition and government.

“We don’t want to share government with anyone. And to you Atwoli, I don’t know which office you want to give Oparanya. Raila Odinga is the leader of ODM. Oparanya has an office. He is the deputy leader of ODM, a big office,” Raila said in response to Atwoli’s remarks that he was lobbying for jobs for some of the Azimio leaders during the burial of long-serving COTU chairman Rajabu Mwondi at Kapchemugung Secondary School.

“ODM is a national party in Kenya. It’s a big office,” he added.

Raila accused Atwoli of neglecting workers after allegedly going to bed with Ruto’s administration.

“As the leader of the workers’ union, you (Atwoli) should be on the front line championing workers’ interests… We are doing your work,” Raila said.

“If the workers’ union aligns with the government, there will be a problem. There are usually three sides: the workers, the government, and the employers. Each has its own stance,” he added.

Last Sunday, Atwoli hit out at the opposition for calling for street demonstrations, saying the mass action was hurting the economy.

Speaking during an interdenominational church service attended by Ruto in Bongoma County, Atwoli said those with jobs were busy serving the nation.