Atwoli’s quarter century at the helm of workers union

The laser-sharp tongue trade unionist’s dominance at the Central Organisation of Trade Unions(COTU) has hit a new whole record spanning quarter a century.

His coup-like re-election for the fifth term in office in a hurriedly closed-door session in Kisumu was widely a boardroom conclusion requiring procedural regularisation.

He was re-elected unopposed today.

The exercise was held by delegates at Tom Mboya Labour college, Kisumu.

In what seemed as unfettered mockery to suffering Kenyan workers, Atwoli, through his Twitter account on today, Atwoli expressed his gratitude to Kenyan workers for trusting him.

“I want to thank all Kenyan  workers for re-electing me unopposed through their registered Trade Union Representatives, as the Secretary General of Central Organisation of Trade Unions in Kenya (COTU). I promise to service you with all my mighty and strength and not betray the trust you have bestowed in me,” read the tweet.

After months of differences with the Kenya National Union of Nurses secretary general Seth Penyako who accused Atwoli of using unorthodox means to elbow rivals from the race and get a smooth ride back to the
office, he reclaimed back his position.

On Tuesday, Penyako wrote to Atwoli protesting what he termed his underhand dealings to lock out the nurses’ body from the polls.

Atwoli had in a letter dated April 1 claimed that KNUN is not listed among unions that have completed branch and national elections, thus unqualified to participate in the polls.

“As part of the requirements by Cotu constitution, we have obtained a letter from the labour commissioner’s office listing unions that have since met this requirement and KNUN is not listed to be among the unions whose elections have since been completed,” Atwoli said in the letter.

However, according to Panyako, Atwoli’s move is meant to bar him from contesting the top position, insisting KNUN had met all the requirements, including registering its new office with the Registrar of Trade Unions.

“We have noted with concern that you have addressed your letter to one Hellen Apiyo, Acting commissioner for labour inquiring on the status of the election instead of requesting the same from Registrar of Trade unions who is the custodian of the election records,” Panyako said in response to Atwoli.

The five unions earlier moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court to stop the elections demanding that Cotu accept their affiliation request and be allowed to participate in the elections of officials.

Rift Valley Workers Union boss Munayi Opondo said the unions’ requests are either being ignored or not responded to,  despite being registered and having made applications to be affiliated to Cotu.

They claim that it is a trick by the Cotu boss to lock them out and avoid competition in the union.

Opondo argues that the refusal to be listed as affiliates to the giant union is an infringement and gross violation of the petitioner’s constitutional and employment rights as provided for by law.

“On previous diverse dates, the petitioners herein, variously attempted to freely exercise their constitutionally affirmed rights to Freedom of Association, by each applying for their respective affiliations with and or the respondents herein, in strict accordance to the respondent’s constitution, and the Constitution of Kenya,” reads a petition filed in court.

“Once a registered trade union makes an application to the respondent for affiliation, the respondent is only expected to acknowledge the said application in accordance to the said respondent’s constitution”

Atwoli has served the union since 2001 when he took over from the late Joseph Joy Mugalla.