How Atwoli has maintained a firm grip on COTU for over 25 years
Those in the know say Atwoli has ruled COTU as a fiefdom stifling internal alternative voices to remain firmly in control and those who seek to dislodge him are frustrated with Secretary Generals of affiliate unions often summoned to endorse him ahead of elections as happened in February this year, a practice they lament has killed internal democracy.
When he was re-elected as Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) on March 14, 2026 Francis Atwoli was already the longest serving head of the umbrella workers body as he had already served for six terms unopposed.
While Atwoli took the opportunity at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu to assure workers that he has their interests at heart and denied being a politician, critics say he has failed to rise to the occasion many times even as members suffer from unfair labour practices, depressed earnings due to enhanced taxes and levies and depression after being retrenched with employers failing to remit severance pay citing hard economic times.
Atwoli has also maintained his grip at the helm at COTU headquarters at the Solidarity Building by aligning himself with successive administrations from the time of President Daniel Moi when he even registered as a life Kanu member.
During the current administration of President William Ruto, who he initially opposed and backed the late Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential contest, he has been supportive of his policies, including the affordable housing programme and increases in National Social Security Fund (NSSF) contributions despite protests by workers and employers.
“We must support President William Ruto because the government is undertaking programmes that directly benefit workers,” Atwoli told delegates during the elections.
“Do not mistake us for politicians. I am not a politician, I am a trade unionist. When the government does well we will support it, and when it does not, we will say so,” he added.
He defended the unpopular housing levy, saying they had asked the President to make deposits for affordable houses cheaper so as to enable more workers to buy them.
“We met the President and requested that the deposit required be reduced so that many workers can afford the houses. Those who can afford should be able to own decent homes,” he said.
Atwoli, who was first elected in 2001 when he replaced Joseph Mugalla, has previously defended his long tenure, saying it is delegates who always endorse him.
“Are you serving the people who gave you that mandate? That is the question. It is not me to retire, it is them to decide. I wanted to retire in 2011 and they said no. I wanted to retire in 2016, they said no. In 2021, I said now you will decide. I am still around,” he said during an interview in April 2024.
However, those in the know say he has ruled COTU as a fiefdom stifling internal alternative voices to remain firmly in control.
According to some insiders, those who seek to dislodge him are frustrated with Secretary Generals of affiliate unions often summoned to endorse him ahead of elections as happened in February, a practice they say has killed internal democracy.
It is also alleged that Atwoli has access to considerable wealth, which he uses to buy support.
The only meaningful challenge he has faced was in 2011 when Seth Panyako, the outspoken Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), entered the race but was disqualified.
Panyako accused Atwoli of blocking the affiliation of KNUN and four other unions effectively denying them a chance to take part in the polls despite a government directive.
The others were the Kenya National Union of Domestic Workers, Kenya Concrete Ceramic Tiles Interior Design Workers Union, Public Transport Workers Union, Rift Valley Workers Union and Kenya Union of Secondary Non-Teaching Staff.
Atwoli’s longevity in office is only second to that of Dibo Ogutu Were, who has led the Kenya Chemical Workers’ Union since 1957.
