Atwoli warns Gachagua: I have been in politics since 1969, wait for 2027

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has hit back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, telling him to wait for the 2027 General Election to see what political experience means.

Atwoli made the remarks in a post on his X account on Sunday, September 6, 2026, as he responded to Gachagua’s criticism of his political influence.

The veteran trade unionist said his involvement in Kenya’s politics goes back to the early years of the Republic, saying he started voting in 1969.

“Gachagua should also be reminded that I started voting in 1969, when I voted for Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and I voted for him again in 1974,” Atwoli said.

He said he later supported former President Daniel arap Moi after he took over in 1978 and remained a member of the Kenya African National Union (KANU).

“When President Moi took over in 1978, I supported and voted for him throughout his presidency. Moi never lost an election, and I stood firmly with him as a member of KANU, a party to which I remain a member to this day,” he said.

Atwoli also recalled the 2007 General Election, saying he voted for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“In 2007, I voted for Raila Odinga, who won the election but was rigged out. Indeed, Raila’s ODM emerged as the largest party in Parliament after that election,” he said.

His remarks followed Gachagua’s criticism of Atwoli’s influence in national politics, particularly after the COTU boss questioned whether Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was ready to seek the presidency in 2027.

Atwoli fires back at Gachagua

Gachagua has since defended Sifuna, saying age should not prevent him from seeking the presidency. He has also said he would support whichever opposition politician proves best placed to defeat President William Ruto.

Atwoli rejected the suggestion that his political backing could prevent a candidate from winning an election.

“It is, therefore, ignorance of the highest order for Gachagua to claim that, ‘If Atwoli supports you, you cannot win,’” he said.

He further accused Gachagua of lacking a deep understanding of Kenya’s political history.

“But I excuse him as he was born the other day politically and has no deep understanding of Kenya’s political history,” Atwoli said.

Atwoli also referred to Gachagua’s previous career in the Provincial Administration in the 1990s, claiming he remembers incidents involving the former deputy president during that period.

He said he also remembered meeting Gachagua at State House, Kabarak, where he claimed former President Moi warned him against mistreating people under his administration.

Atwoli ended his message with a warning ahead of the 2027 election.

“While Gachagua has only participated extensively in national politics, in 2022, some of us have been in this game since the formative years of this Republic,” he said.

“And if he wants to know what politics really is, he should wait for next year. WE WILL TEACH HIM!”