Nairobi — The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has defended his move to have a meeting with arch rival President William Ruto.

Atwoli who vehemently opposed Ruto's bid in the 2022 revealed that the meeting involved the welfare of workers.

He was speaking during a funeral in Khwisero, Kakamega County, where he argued that he has to align to the current administration so as to defend the rights of workers.

"Kenya is a democracy and we must accept that things may go in one way or another. We must accept that in the next five years this young man is our President since we are in this country to stay and not in transit headed to Uganda,"Atwoli said.

The COTU boss called upon the opposition to execute their mandate of ensuring the government executes its mandate.

"Our opposition must continue to execute their mandate by exerting pressure on important issues.Even President William Ruto agrees that the opposition must be strong and continue doing what is supposed to be done, "Atwoli said.

Atwoli met President Ruto a few days after giving signals of working with the Kenya Kwanza government.

Atwoli was in Raila Odinga's Azimio la Umoja camp in the run-up to the August 9 general election.

He campaigned fiercely against Ruto's presidency, at one point going on record stating that Ruto will never succeed former President Uhuru Kenyatta.