Long-serving Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has broken his silence on whether he will retire as the union boos or still vie for another term.
This comes after the union’s board members endorsed Atwoli, saying they will support his bid if he seeks re-election in the upcoming polls.
“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 said.
Francis Atwoli Clarifies Retiring as COTU Secretary General
Speaking during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Atwoli said President William Ruto would be the last Head of State he would serve under, having worked with all of Kenya’s past presidents.
“We are also celebrating our 60th anniversary. We have been around for 60 years, and in those years, Your Excellency, I have been here as a leader and never moved in this country for 24 years,” Atwoli said.
“Recently, when we were with you in Nyanza, I mentioned that you are the last president I will serve under.”
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Atwoli added that he had served all the presidents of the Republic of Kenya and had recently informed job stewards that he was contemplating retirement.
“But because we have democracy—and because there are people watching what we are doing, whether we are responsive to workers’ needs or not—a section of the executive board met and passed another resolution,” he said, referring to the board’s support for his possible re-election.
Atwoli acknowledged the board’s confidence in his leadership but emphasized the importance of democracy within the organization.
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Atwoli Acknowledges Board’s Confidence but Affirms COTU’s Democratic Nature
He added that he is not the only person in country who can leader the labour movement.
“They are confident in me. But I want to assure them yes, we sing that our solidarity is forever, and we call ourselves brothers and sisters but that doesn’t mean that as we enter into the new year, it will not only be Atwoli who can lead the labour movement,” he said.
“Our organization is democratic. We are free and independent. Among our 42 affiliates, they know your capabilities, your ability to articulate issues affecting working men and women here and across the globe. They will make a decision, and we will respect that decision.”
COTU board had also issued a strong rebuke to those attempting to undermine Atwoli’s leadership, calling on them to stop interfering in COTU’s internal affairs.
They emphasized that the union’s election process is guided by its constitution and must follow due procedure through the Ministry of Labour, which is yet to issue an official notice.
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