Francis Atwoli in trouble for his ‘washenzi’ remark

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli is in trouble following his ‘washenzi’ remark in reference to leaders from central Kenya.
Leaders from the central Kenya especially those from Murang’a are now demanding him to apologize for his demeaning remarks.


They had threatened to disrupt the Labor Day celebration which he presided over should he fail to submit an apology.


Coming to the defence of President Uhuru Kenyatta from the fiery central leaders allying to deputy president William Ruto, Atwoli slammed them for intimidating the president.


Atwoli was speaking on Sunday April 28 at St. Stephen’s ACK Church in Nairobi when he described the leaders who are against the president’s handshake with opposition chief Raila Odinga as ‘washenzi’ (fools).

“You Kikuyus of nowadays are uncivilised, you are fools (nyinyi ni washenzi sana). Even Raila Odinga who declared his support for former President Mwai Kibaki was only invited to Sagana State Lodge after the Cabinet was formed and told to either take the positions offered to him or to leave.

So, tell President Uhuru Kenyatta that he should not be intimidated,” he said.
Murang’a Women Representative Sabina Chege stood forward for the central Kenya leaders saying Atwoli’s remarks were a threat to national unity and peaceful coexistence.

She suggested that Atwoli be repremanded and asked to apologize to the Agikuyu community.

“The Agikuyu community does not comprise of people of a lesser god. Atwoli must apologise to the community because failure to do so will be setting a very bad precedence to other people who think they can insult or underrate other communities,” she said.


Several other leaders have also called on National Cohesion and Integration Commission(NCIC) to summon the 69-year-old unionist. Atwoli however, has not apologized as demanded. During this years labor day celebrations, Atwoli instead defended himself saying that he meant no harm for the community as his first wife was also from Agikuyu community.

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