Atwoli Calls Activist Hanifa As ‘Super-Young-Con-Woman’ For Questioning COTU’s Legacy
On Wednesday, May 7, Central Organisation of Trade Unions in Kenya (COTU-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli slammed writer and activist Hanifa Adan for her piece in the Daily Nation, in which she lambasted Kenya’s leadership.
Atwoli slammed Hanifa in a sharply worded statement, calling her a “Super-Young-Con-Woman.”
“Hanifa should be the last person lecturing anyone on leadership or the occupation of leadership positions, given her track record that is riddled with integrity concerns,” Atwoli charged.
Atwoli questioned Hanifa’s ethics, accusing her of pocketing millions of shillings given by Kenyans to help young people injured or murdered during the Gen Z-led June-July protests in 2024.
“How, then, can the Super-Young-Con-Woman position herself as a credible voice on leadership when she failed so blatantly during the one critical moment when she was called upon to lead?” he quipped.
I have read this article by the Super-Young-Con-Woman, @Honeyfarsafi, with considerable amusement.
— Francis Atwoli NOM (DZA), CBS, EBS, MBS. (@AtwoliDza) May 7, 2025
Hanifa should be the last person lecturing anyone on leadership or the occupation of leadership positions, given her track record that is riddled with integrity concerns.
It is… pic.twitter.com/ydDBrovMGs
Hanifa expressed her disappointment with COTU’s recent decision to renew Atwoli’s term as Secretary General, a position he has held since 2001.
Her post, “The lie we grew up with: You are tomorrow’s leaders,” contrasted COTU’s decision with the necessity to include young people in leadership positions, particularly at vital bodies like COTU.
“For 23 years, one man has sat at the helm of the country’s most powerful workers’ umbrella union,” a paragraph in the piece read.
“In that time, the job market has changed completely, workers’ rights have been trampled on, and youth unemployment has reached crisis levels.”
The piece continued: “Yet COTU clings to the same leadership without question, as if fresh leadership is a threat, not a necessity.”
However, Atwoli refuted Hanifa’s accusations, stating that COTU (K) was an inclusive organization that welcomed people of all backgrounds and ages.
He also stated that the presence of young leaders at COTU should not be confined to his role.
“For her information, COTU (K) represents young, old, employed, and unemployed Kenyans, and the issue of youth leadership cannot be reduced to simply holding the position of Secretary General,” he expressed.
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“As it stands today, the COTU (K) secretariat is highly youthful, with over 80 per cent of our workforce under the age of 40,” Atwoli added.
“And as the Secretary-General, I have ensured that young people have opportunities for meaningful service within COTU (K), including creating space for youth representatives on our Executive Board.”
The long-serving COTU boss went on to challenge Hanifa to focus on accounting for the public funds entrusted to her rather than writing essays.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 the old pregnant man has finally been triggered!!! Welcome on board. I have waited for you for years. Great to have you Atwoli!!! Now I’ll start by saying that months from now, you’ll be sitting down regretting why you made this tweet. That is a promise I’m giving you… https://t.co/z9rm0zjM4q pic.twitter.com/Nnu2zCNd6W
— Hanifa 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 (@Honeyfarsafi) May 7, 2025
Hanifa was the caretaker of more than Ksh30 million donated by Kenyans. A public audit of the monies was also issued.
Atwoli Calls Activist Hanifa As ‘Super-Young-Con-Woman’ For Questioning COTU’s Legacy
