Veteran trade unionist Francis Atwoli has been re-elected to lead the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) for a sixth term, extending his tenure at the helm of Kenya’s labour movement.
Delegates gathered at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu on Saturday, March 14, to vote, and Atwoli emerged unopposed, securing another five-year term.
At 76, Atwoli has been COTU’s Secretary General since 2001, following the passing of Joseph Mugalla. His leadership has been marked by decades of experience in both national and international labour circles, and he continues to play a central role in shaping workers’ policies and advocacy.
Before assuming the top position at COTU, Atwoli served as general secretary of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union and held senior roles in the Union of Posts and Telecommunication Employees.
Over the years, he has also worked with multiple government bodies and international non-governmental organizations, gaining a reputation for his commitment to workers’ rights.
Atwoli’s career in the labour movement has not been without criticism. Some workers have expressed concerns that he sometimes prioritizes politics over their immediate grievances.
Despite this, his leadership has consistently garnered support from fellow union leaders. Two months ago, 42 general secretaries of affiliated trade unions gave him unanimous backing, pledging solidarity during a preparatory lunch meeting ahead of the elections.
He has previously indicated that he intends to step down from COTU when President William Ruto’s term ends. “My exit will coincide with the close of Ruto’s regime,” Atwoli said, although he did not clarify whether this would align with the 2031 COTU elections.
Atwoli’s re-election now extends his influence into a 25th year, making him one of Kenya’s longest-serving labour leaders. His reach is not just national: last June, he was unanimously re-elected deputy president of the Commonwealth Trade Union Group (CTUG) in Brussels, Belgium. The CTUG connects national trade union centers across Commonwealth countries, representing over 70 million workers in more than 40 nations.
