Kenya’s Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has hinted at his looming exit from the union, suggesting that his departure will leave a major gap in the country’s labour movement.
Speaking on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at COTU’s Shopstewards meeting at Solidarity Headquarters ahead of Labour Day, Atwoli said COTU is one of the most powerful trade union organisations in Africa. He noted that it played a crucial role in creating the first continent-wide international organisation.
“COTU in Africa is one of the powerful trade union organisations. Cotu spearheaded the first African, the whole continent, an international level organisation kama Director General. Watu ambao hawajapata exposure, they don’t understand both local and international trade unions watasema COTU haina kitu,” Atwoli stated.
Adding;
“Very soon, I will exit COTU, with this group, that is when you will notice that there is something amiss in Kenya’s trade unions. Kenyans remember when someone has left.”
After Ruto’s presidency
In a past address, Atwoli hinted that President William Ruto might be the last president he will serve under as the COTU boss. He made these remarks during the burial of George Oduor, a longtime bodyguard of ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Reflecting on his long career, Atwoli said he had served under every Kenyan President since independence and suggested that his time in leadership could be coming to an end.
“I have had the opportunity to serve all Presidents of Kenya since independence… Maybe your (William Ruto) government will be the last one I serve before returning to Khwisero,” Atwoli told mourners.
During the event, Atwoli took a moment to commend Ruto for attending the funeral, pointing out that such a gesture was rare among Kenya’s past Presidents.
“To tell the truth, not all of the Presidents I’ve served under would have come to the funeral of someone like George,” he added.
Atwoli’s leadership at COTU began in August 2001, making him the longest-serving trade unionist in the country.