COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli Wants Gachagua Freed to Face Ruto in 2027 Showdown

Veteran trade unionist Francis Atwoli has once again stirred the political scene after declaring that he would prefer courts to set former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua free so he can directly face President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during a public event on Saturday, Atwoli said the country would witness the “real political reality on the ground” if Gachagua is allowed to actively challenge Ruto politically instead of being blocked by legal battles.

“I would prefer the court set Gachagua free so that he can contest against Ruto, and we will show him the political reality on the ground,” Atwoli declared amid cheers and reactions from supporters.

The outspoken Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) boss appeared confident that President Ruto still commands significant support across the country despite growing criticism from sections of opposition leaders and former allies.

Atwoli’s remarks come at a time when political temperatures are rising ahead of the 2027 elections, with Gachagua increasingly positioning himself as one of the fiercest critics of the Kenya Kwanza administration after his fallout with Ruto’s camp.

In recent months, Gachagua has intensified his political tours across different regions, accusing the government of abandoning ordinary Kenyans and sidelining leaders from the Mt Kenya region.

His remarks have continued to attract both support and resistance, creating fresh political alignments ahead of the next polls.

Atwoli, who has consistently defended Ruto’s leadership, suggested that defeating Gachagua politically would be more effective than seeing him tied down in court cases.

According to him, the ballot should determine who enjoys public support instead of prolonged legal confrontations.

The statement is expected to trigger fresh debate within Kenya’s political circles, especially among leaders allied to Gachagua who have repeatedly accused state agencies of targeting opposition voices.

As 2027 draws closer, the rivalry between Ruto’s allies and Gachagua’s camp is rapidly shaping into one of the most closely watched political battles in the country.

Observers now believe the coming months could witness even sharper political attacks as leaders scramble to solidify their support bases across the nation.