Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli has remained coy regarding retirement plans after a Kenyan brought up the topic, again.
In an engagement on X Wednesday, a user sought to know when the Cotu boss plans to hang his boots and call it a day.
“Mr Atwoli, when will you retire?” the user asked.
In response, Atwoli said that he is an elected leader serving the interests of members of trade unions.
“Uliza tu hiyo swali hiyo kitu ikutoke (Just ask and get it off your chest)," Atwoli said in jest, before putting the record straight.
"I'm here servicing the interests of trade union members. I'm not appointed, I'm elected by members. If you join a union, you will understand my role and that of Cotu.
Atwoli has served as Cotu as secretary general for 23 years since he was first elected in 2001.
In his role as a representative of Kenyan workers, Atwoli has continued championing social justice by advocating for decent work, accountable governments and better policies for workers.
This is not the first time the Cotu boss has addressed the retirement question.
In April, Atwoli said it's not up to him to decide when to retire.
"Are you serving the people who gave you that mandate? That is the question. It is not me to retire; it's them to say," Atwoli said during an interview on Citizen TV.
"I wanted to retire in 2011 and they said no, I wanted to retire in 2016 they said no. In 2021, I said now you will decide. I'm still around."
The long-serving Cotu SG said that there are some qualities that those he
serves look for in him.
"I have been at the helm of trade union for some time and I'm the long-serving elected International Labour Organization Governing Body (ILO) for some time; my position is elective. I'm going for elections on June 10. The Africans have refused, I wanted to leave for Tanzanians and they said no," he added.
"Wait, it will be announced from there not here."
Atwoli's current term ends in April, 2026 after he won re-election on April 9, 2021.
“I promise to service you with all my might and strength and not betray the trust you have bestowed in me," Atwoli said followoing his 2021 re-election.
By the time of the next election, Atwoli will have served for 25 years.
Atwoli also serves as the General Secretary of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) and was recently re-elected for a third straight term as President of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU).
The elections were conducted in November 2023, during the
12th Congress of OATUU in Algiers, Algeria.
