The Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu) executive board elevated Reverend Joel Kandie Chebii as its chairman general in a move which has excited residents of the Rift Valley region.
Chebii becomes the first person from the region to be chairman of Cotu and some residents described him as a unique servant of God and a leader who loves people.
A group of residents including community leaders led by Benjamin Letting, Abraham Cheruiyot, Kipkorir Birgen and Kipruto Tum praised Cotu boss Francis Atwoli for mentoring Chebii for the many years he had been serving in the umbrella unions movement.
“We celebrate Chebii as a fighter for workers’ rights and in our region he has broken the leadership ceiling because he is the first one from the Kalenjin community to hold such a position in Cotu," Birgen said.
Letting said the elevation of Chebi had proved that Atwoli was a leader who values friendship and had remained a great and servant leader.
“Chebii’s elevation has proven that loyalty to the worker, the Cotu family and God eventually pays off. God’s time is the best and he rewards good work abundantly like the way he has done for Chebii," Birgen said.
Atwoli who announced the election of Chebii said he had served in Cotu (K) for more than four decades and that Chebii currently holds the position of General Secretary of the Tiles and Textile Workers Union.
Chebii was elected during the 111th Executive Board of Cotu (K) where Wycliffe Nyamwatta was also elected as the 2nd Vice Chairman General of the labour movement.
Nyamwatta has been a member of the Executive Board of COTU (K) for two decades and continues serving as the General Secretary of Kenya Engineering Worker’s Union.
Atwoli urged the elected leaders to continue agitating for the enhancement of the rights and welfare of Kenyan workers.
“Chebii and my colleagues have been very instrumental in ensuring stability in Cotu. Stability is key to any organisation and, we shall continue ensuring that the union is united and stable so as to serve Kenyan workers,” Atwoli said.
Chebii is also a leader in the Valley Baptist Church which has its headquarters in Eldoret.
At Cotu Reverend Chebii replaces long-serving chairman general Rajab Wellington Mwondi who while undergoing treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu in August this year.
Chebii has welcomed the elevation terming it as a God-given moment for him to serve the labour movement and Kenyans.
