Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has told Deputy President William Ruto he is a fool if he believes he will automatically be Kenya’s president in 2022.
Saying the polls were still too far away to talk about, Atwoli told the DP that he is a fool to believe in a promise that he will be Kenya's automatic president in 2022.
Speaking in Swahili at a fundraising ceremony to buy a bus for Khwisero Girls Secondary School, Atwoli said, "A day is like 10 years in politics. If someone tells you that you will be president in 2022 and you believe him, you are the biggest fool on earth!” said Atwoli as quoted by Tuko.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto had a 2013 pre-election deal guaranteeing that the DP would be the flagbearer for Jubilee in 2022.
The deal allows Uhuru to serve for two terms if he gets re-elected and then support his deputy thereafter.
Already there has been some doubt over the deal holding as Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and Jubilee nominated Senator Paul Njoroge have dismissed Ruto's automaatic support from Mt Kenya.
Atwoli has tried in vain to unite leaders from Western region from as far back as 2013 but he is lining up meetings aiming to have Luhya's support one of their own for the presidency.
The trade unionist plans to meet all leaders from Western to agree on a candidate to support.