Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has hinted at retirement.
Speaking during the 2025 Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi on Thursday, May 1, the 75-year-old acknowledged that he has served long enough, having led COTU for 24 years.
Atwoli noted that he has worked under four presidents: Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta, and now William Ruto.
“COTU has been around for 60 years, and in these 60 years, I have led the labour movement in this country for 24 years. Recently, in Nyanza, I mentioned that you (Ruto) would be my last president. I am contemplating exiting the service, having served all the presidents of Kenya,” he stated.
However, Atwoli affirmed that he could seek another term after being endorsed by COTU’s executive board members on April 29.
“I respect democracy. A section of my executive board met and passed a resolution expressing their confidence in me. I want to assure them we are democratic, free, and independent, and they will make a decision we will respect,” he said.
The board members urged anyone seeking to undermine the organisation to back off, insisting that Atwoli remains qualified to continue as COTU’s secretary-general.
The
executive board members dismissed claims that the 75-year-old Atwoli would soon
retire from the umbrella workers’ body.
“It is our choice, it is our decision, and it is the Kenyan workers’ voice that we still want Francis Atwoli. It is purely democratic. There is nothing wrong. Nobody can fault our decisions on any grounds. We love him. He has experience, he has the knowledge, and he has what the Kenyan worker needs,” said Kenya Aviation Workers Union Secretary-General Moss Ndiema.
According
to Ndiema, while there are calls for new leadership within the union, Atwoli’s
extensive experience in labour matters — both locally and internationally since
2001 — gives him a strong case for another term.
The board further welcomed Atwoli’s recent announcement about forthcoming elections, expressing confidence in his leadership and praising his decades of service to the labour movement.
“Atwoli said on April 18 that he would issue a notice on the elections. As board members, we have already endorsed him. We have no other candidate among us,” one board member emphasised, underscoring their collective support.
