KISUMU, Kenya — Veteran trade unionist Francis Atwoli has moved a step closer to retaining his position as Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K) after securing an overwhelming endorsement from workers in the agricultural sector.
Atwoli was on Saturday re-elected unopposed as Secretary General of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU), earning another five-year term at the helm of one of the country’s most influential labour unions.
The re-election was confirmed during KPAWU’s Quinquennial Conference held at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu, where delegates endorsed his leadership without contest.
In a statement following the vote, Atwoli thanked union members for their continued confidence, describing the outcome as a strong affirmation of his leadership record and vision for workers in the plantation and agricultural sectors.
“I want to thank the members of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union for re-electing me unopposed for another five-year term to the position of General Secretary,” Atwoli said.
He said the renewed mandate would allow him to continue advancing KPAWU’s agenda while also serving as a formal endorsement of his intention to contest for another term as COTU Secretary General.
Atwoli pledged to intensify efforts to improve labour conditions, wages, and worker welfare, saying the fresh mandate carried a responsibility to push for stronger labour protections and inclusive social dialogue.
“With this re-election and endorsement to contest for the position of Secretary General of COTU (K), I wish to affirm my commitment towards advancing workers’ interests and improving their welfare,” he added.
Atwoli has served as COTU Secretary General since August 2001, while his tenure as KPAWU General Secretary dates back to 1994, making him one of Kenya’s longest-serving labour leaders.
Meanwhile, COTU has publicly welcomed recent conservatory orders issued by the High Court in Nakuru, which suspended the engagement, procurement, and payment of private advocates by public entities that already have in-house legal officers.
In a statement, the umbrella labour body described the widespread outsourcing of legal services by national and county governments, state corporations, and parastatals as a governance failure and a waste of public resources.
“The rampant outsourcing of legal services has demoralised in-house lawyers and weakened public institutions financially,” COTU said.
The organisation warned that high legal fees paid to private firms have contributed to delayed salaries, underfunded social protection programmes, and declining public services.
COTU said it remains opposed to outsourcing across public institutions, arguing that the practice fuels job insecurity and undermines the sustainability of the public sector, a position that aligns closely with Atwoli’s long-standing labour advocacy as he seeks to extend his leadership at the national level.
