Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has commended President William Ruto for spearheading major infrastructure projects that he says are transforming Kenya and addressing development gaps left by previous administrations.

Speaking during the 2026 Labour Day celebrations held at Chavakali Boys High School in Vihiga County on Thursday, May 1, Atwoli described President Ruto as a bold leader whose administration has taken on ambitious projects that many leaders before him were reluctant to pursue.

“On behalf of Kenyan workers, allow me, Your Excellency, to thank you for your boldness. You are a bold president. You are very bold to have come up with projects that most of the presidents shied away from,” Atwoli said.

The veteran trade unionist singled out the government’s Affordable Housing Programme as one of the administration’s landmark achievements, noting that the initiative is already changing the physical outlook of towns and cities across the country while creating employment opportunities for thousands of Kenyans.

“One, Your Excellency, is Affordable Housing, which has changed the face of the Republic of Kenya. You go everywhere; you land in Kisumu, it is unimaginable,” he remarked.

Atwoli said the housing programme has not only expanded access to decent homes for ordinary Kenyans but has also opened up jobs in the construction sector, boosting livelihoods for workers in related industries.

He also praised the government’s plans to modernise Kenya’s transport infrastructure, particularly the proposed expansion of key road networks and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which he said will enhance connectivity, ease movement of goods and people, and stimulate economic growth in different regions.

The other one is that you have embarked on making sure that from Rironi up to Malaba, and as you have been requested, it will be so good also to have a railway station at Luanda, and we support that.

That will be a wonderful project on the SGR side and on the new express highway that you are now working on,” Atwoli stated.

His remarks come at a time when the government is pushing ahead with large-scale infrastructure developments aimed at improving transport, creating jobs, and supporting long-term economic growth.

Atwoli’s endorsement signals growing support from the labour movement for projects seen as capable of generating employment opportunities while reshaping Kenya’s development trajectory.