Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now claims he was stunned to find Francis Atwoli inside State House shortly after William Ruto won the 2022 election despite Atwoli’s earlier strong opposition.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has shared details of what he describes as a shocking moment inside State House following the 2022 general election.
Speaking on Tuesday, Gachagua said he did not expect to see long-serving COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli anywhere near government circles after the election, given his vocal opposition to William Ruto during the campaign period.
According to Gachagua, his surprise turned into disbelief when he allegedly bumped into Atwoli inside State House corridors soon after the new administration took over.
“I could not believe it when I found him at State House when we went in. He was there laughing and dancing in the corridor,” Gachagua said.
He added that he later sought clarification from President Ruto, who reportedly told him that Atwoli had been brought in by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
Gachagua further claimed that the moment reflected what he sees as shifting political loyalties, suggesting that Atwoli’s actions were driven by personal interests rather than consistent advocacy for workers.
In the run-up to the 2022 election, Atwoli had openly backed the rival camp led by Raila Odinga. He had repeatedly predicted Ruto’s defeat, at one point making controversial remarks suggesting drastic action if the outcome went the other way.
However, following the official declaration of Ruto as president, Atwoli’s presence within government spaces quickly raised eyebrows, with critics pointing to a rapid shift in stance.
The remarks by Gachagua are likely to fuel fresh debate around political alignments and loyalty in Kenya’s ever-changing power landscape.
