NAIROBI, Kenya –The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Board members have expressed unanimous support for the re-election of Secretary General Francis Atwoli, affirming their backing ahead of the upcoming union elections.
In a show of solidarity, the board endorsed Atwoli’s leadership, praising his longstanding contributions to the labour movement.
Atwoli, who has held the position for several years, confirmed on April 18 that he would issue an official notice regarding the elections.
Board members, however, made it clear that they had already made their decision to back him, asserting that no alternative candidate had emerged within their ranks.
“We stand united behind Atwoli. We have no other candidate. He has been a dedicated leader for many years, and we are fully supportive of his leadership,” one board member stated, emphasizing their collective stance.
The endorsement comes amidst increasing attempts by unnamed individuals to challenge Atwoli’s authority.
Board members expressed their frustration with those seeking to undermine his leadership, urging them to refrain from interfering in the union’s internal processes.
“The election process is clearly outlined in Cotu’s constitution. It will follow the proper channels through the Ministry of Labour. There is no place for disruptive individuals who are not even members of Cotu,” they added.
The strong endorsement from the Cotu Board follows a recent wave of criticism, with some individuals using social media platforms to target Atwoli.
This situation escalated after Atwoli publicly addressed the issue of social media regulation, advocating for tighter controls over digital platforms.
Atwoli has called on the government and religious leaders to take a firmer stand on the unregulated use of social media, particularly platforms like TikTok, which he claims are damaging to youth and distorting the narrative around unions.
He warned that the unchecked spread of misinformation could undermine the labour movement’s credibility and negatively impact the union’s public image.
“We cannot have a situation where platforms like TikTok distort the union narrative. Social media is harming young people, and they have never worked in unions yet they spread misinformation and incite unrest,” Atwoli said.
Despite the controversy surrounding social media, Cotu’s leadership remains steadfast in its support for Atwoli.
The union’s constitution and election processes are expected to guide the way forward, ensuring that the upcoming elections will be conducted fairly and in line with legal frameworks.
