Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has torn into Kakaemega senator Cleophas Malala over a Luhya meeting that is scheduled for December 31, 2021 at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega town.

Malala while addressing Kakamega residents on Sunday December 26, 2021 said that the meeting that has been planned by Atwoli is fake, and that it has been called off.

According to Malala, Atwoli must seek permission from Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi before holding a Luhyia meeting.

The vocal lawmaker went ahead to claim that Atwoli wants to use the meeting to force the Luhya community to endorse ODM leader Raila Odinga for 2022 presidency.

Malala argued that Kakamega is his political bedroom, and that there is no any meeting that was going to happen without him being consulted.

According to him, a meeting meant to endorse Raila should be held in one of his political backyards, either in Siaya or Kisumu.

“It is now official. The fake Luhya meeting slated for the 31st Dec at Bukhungu Stadium is hereby nullified, ” Malala posted on Twitter.

However, Atwoli while responding to the claims told off Malala, saying that he was too junior.

Atwoli argued that Malala has no capacity to speak on behalf of the Luhya community, and has no any ability to call off such meetings.

The flamboyant trade unionist went ahead to clarify that the Bukhungu meeting is still on, and that it will bring together all progressive leaders and locals from all the five Western Kenya region counties.

“You are a junior Senator who has neither the capacity to speak on behalf of the Luhya community nor the ability to call on and off such a meeting. The Bukhungu II meeting brings together ALL progressive leaders and locals from the 5 counties in the region,” Atwoli tweeted.

On Sunday December 26, 2021, Atwoli hosted the Orange party leader at his Khwisero home. Raila accepted the invite to attend the Bukhungu meeting.

From Atwoli’s home, Raila toured Busia County where he held meetings in Budalangi.

Raila declared his interest in the 2022 presidential race on Friday November 10, 2021 during the Azimio La Umoja Convention that was held at the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Deputy President William Ruto, Musalia Mudavadi, Mukhisa Kituyi and National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi are some of the leaders interested in succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta.