Atwoli Announces He Will Soon Leave COTU After More Than 20 Years
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has stated that after he departs, Kenyans would recognize that something is wrong with the labour movement.
Atwoli, Cotu’s long-serving Secretary General, stated that those who are unfamiliar with international trade union systems will quickly disregard Cotu.
“Cotu in Africa is one of the most powerful trade union organisations. If Cotu spearheaded the first African to pick an SG in the international organisation, it is not a joke,” he said on Saturday.
“Soon, I will exit with all this group, that is when you will start realising there is something amiss in Kenya’s labour movement. You will see.”
Atwoli: Soon, I will exit (COTU) and you will start realising there is something amiss in Kenya’s labour movement. #WorkersVoicesKE60 pic.twitter.com/dSWLvv7e5l
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) April 26, 2025
According to the Secretary-General, Kenyans prefer to remember their leaders after they have left office rather than while they are serving them.
Cotu convened a summit ahead of Labour Day 2025.
Speaking on May 14, 2025, Atwoli hinted at his retirement from trade union leadership, stating that he had served under all of Kenya’s presidents.
Atwoli stated that President William Ruto is likely to be the final Head of State under whom he will serve as the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) chief.
“I have had the opportunity to serve all the Presidents of Kenya since independence,” he said.
“I have seen the government of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the founding father of this nation, I have seen Mzee Daniel Moi’s government, which we were with for 24 years, I have seen the government of Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and yours (William Ruto).”
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He added: “Maybe your government will probably be the last government I serve and return to Khwisero.”
Atwoli has been the Cotu Secretary General since August 2001, when he was initially elected. He continues to serve as SG to this day.
His term at the union has long been the focus of public controversy, with many Kenyans wondering how long he intends to stay in office.
Atwoli said that over the years, he has fought to ensure all Kenyan workers get paternity leave as part of his work to bring about the five sets of labour laws.
Atwoli Announces He Will Soon Leave COTU After More Than 20 Years
