COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli now says that after 24 years at the helm of the trade unions’ umbrella body, he is contemplating retiring.
The outspoken trade unionist has served as the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General since he was first elected in August 2001. During this period, Atwoli has served under four heads of state – Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and now William Ruto.
In a recent engagement with President Ruto in Nyanza region, Atwoli had hinted that he will be retiring at the end of his current term. Atwoli was in April 2021 re-elected unopposed for a fresh five-year mandate.
But speaking during the Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Garden on Thursday, May 1, Atwoli was contemplating serving for another term.
“Recently when we were with you in Nyanza, I did mention that you are my last president for me to serve. I have served all presidents of the Republic of Kenya. And I also assured shop stewards recently, that ‘as you see me here, I am contemplating to exit’,” Atwoli said. “But then, because we have democracy and there are people watching what we are doing — whether we are responsive to workers’ needs or not. A section of my Executive Board met and gave another resolution and their confidence in me.”
Nonetheless, Atwoli insists that Kenya’s labour movement is democratic, free and independent. He was also quick to point out that regardless of all the years under his tutelage, it should not be construed that no any other person can lead COTU.
“But despite the resolution, this does not mean that it will be only Atwoli who can be able to lead the labour movement. Our organisation is democratic, we are free and independent. Our 42 affiliates know your capabilities and abilities to articulate issues concerning workers locally and internationally, and they will make a decision, and we will respect the decision.”
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, April 29, members of the COTU’s executive committee said they had endorsed Atwoli as the ideal person to continue defending the rights of workers’ unions in the country.
The board members insisted that the 74-year-old Atwoli will be retiring soon.
“It is our choice, it is our decision, and it is the Kenyan workers’ voice that we still want Francis Atwoli. It is purely democracy. There is nothing wrong. Nobody can fault our decisions on any grounds. We love him. He has experience, he has the knowledge, he has what the Kenyan worker needs,” said Moss Ndiema, the Secretary-General of Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU).
