Outspoken Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary general Francis Atwoli has today been re-elected unopposed for another 5-year term.
Atwoli, who has been at the position since 2001 will therefore have stayed at the helm of COTU for 25 years by the time his new term comes to an end.
The firebrand trade unionist thanked all workers who elected him and promised never to betray the trust bestowed in him.
“I want to thank all Kenyan workers for re-electing me unopposed through their registered Trade Union Representatives, as the Secretary General of COTU, I promise to serve you with all my might,” he said after the election held at Tom Mboya Labour collage, Kisumu.
Since his election to the top seat in 2001, Francis Atwoli has become a household name locally and globally on matters labour and labour relations.
He is also believed to play a central role in Kenya’s political space, where he enjoys cordial relations with top and influential politicians from across the political divide.
In 2019, Atwoli was elected chairman and spokesman of the Africa Workers Group.
He was unanimously elected during the official opening of the 14th International Labour Organisation (ILO) African region at a meeting at Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
His stay at the helm of COTU has however not been without criticism as others demand he leaves room for someone else to lead the umbrella workers union.
In previous media interviews, Atwoli has claimed he has won the trust and love of workers and hence his re-election.
