Vihiga County, Kenya - Azimio leader Raila Odinga and COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli set aside political differences on Saturday as they came together to pay their respects at the funeral of COTU Chairman Rajab Mwondi. This marked their first public appearance together since Atwoli's surprising declaration of support for President William Ruto late last year.

Rajab Mwondi, a prominent figure in the Kenyan labor movement, passed away on August 16 at the age of 67. Born in Vihiga County, Mwondi had dedicated his life to advocating for workers' rights and social justice. His legacy as a trade unionist dated back to the early 1980s, and he had risen through the ranks to become the chairman of COTU.

Mwondi's tenure as COTU Chairman was marked by numerous successful campaigns aimed at improving wages, working conditions, and social security for Kenyan workers. He was known for his unwavering commitment to workers' interests and his vocal criticism of government policies that he perceived as detrimental to labor rights.

At the funeral ceremony, Raila Odinga and Francis Atwoli were seen sitting in close proximity, appearing to put aside their political differences as they mourned the loss of a respected labor leader. This unexpected reunion came after Atwoli's highly publicized meeting with President William Ruto on December 1, 2022, where he pledged his support for Ruto, a move that surprised many political observers given Atwoli's previous opposition to Ruto's presidential ambitions.

In the lead-up to the 2022 presidential election, Atwoli had been a vocal critic of Ruto's candidacy and had expressed doubts about Ruto's ability to succeed former President Uhuru Kenyatta. However, the political landscape in Kenya had taken unexpected turns, leading to alliances and realignments that saw Atwoli crossing the political aisle.

As Raila and Atwoli paid their respects to Rajab Mwondi, the political implications of their public appearance together were not lost on observers, who wondered whether this reunion signaled potential shifts in Kenya's political dynamics ahead of the next election cycle. The event served as a poignant reminder of the complexities and fluidity of Kenyan politics, where alliances and rivalries can change rapidly in the pursuit of power and influence.