A growing online movement is calling for the retirement of Francis Atwoli, the long-serving Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), after 24 years in office.
An online petition titled ‘Request Francis Atwoli to Retire from COTU’, launched on May 11, 2025, by activist Elvis Kimanga on Change.org, has garnered over 13,000 signatures within just 48 hours — a sign of widespread demand for generational leadership renewal.
The calls gained momentum following Atwoli’s remarks on Labour Day (May 1), where he hinted at a potential retirement. However, the COTU Executive Board has rallied behind him, stating it will endorse him for another term. The board has also emphasised that the COTU constitution does not impose any age limit for leadership.
Activist Fatuma Abdulkadir Adan, who has joined the campaign, stressed that the push for Atwoli’s retirement is not rooted in ageism, but in the need for COTU to remain “dynamic, relevant and effective” in confronting Kenya’s pressing labour issues.
The petition outlines several concerns, including the need for leadership capable of responding to digital transformation, youth unemployment, and evolving global labour trends.
Supporters of the campaign also point to the mismatch between COTU’s leadership and the country’s workforce demographics. Over 78 per cent of Kenya’s labour force is under the age of 35, yet Atwoli has remained at the helm since 2001.
Critics like Mary Wambui, a factory worker, claim that Atwoli is “out of touch” with the current economic realities, accusing him of prioritising politics over workers’ rights.
Atwoli, however, has rejected the calls to step down, describing them as “nonsense” from “busy bodies” outside the labour movement. During his Labour Day speech, he suggested he might consider stepping down by 2032, aligning with the end of President William Ruto’s potential second term.
“I am contemplating exiting the service, having served all the presidents of Kenya,” Atwoli said.
Despite the external criticism, the COTU Executive Board has reaffirmed its support for Atwoli and plans to back him for re-election in 2026. They cite his long-standing experience and international profile as critical assets.
Moss Ndiema, Secretary General of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, defended Atwoli’s continued leadership: “Locally he might seem very old, but internationally he is young compared to other leaders.”
Supporters further highlight Atwoli’s achievements, such as his advocacy for paternity leave during the 2010 constitutional amendment, the growth of COTU’s membership, and his role in elevating Kenya’s influence in international labour forums.
Nonetheless, the petition has reignited a broader conversation around leadership transition in Kenya’s governance structures. With no age or term limits in COTU’s constitution, Atwoli’s potential re-election in 2026 could see his tenure stretch into its third decade.
Youth union leaders, including George Ochieng, have underscored the need for change.
“We’re not asking Atwoli to erase his legacy; we’re asking him to make way for a new era,” Ochieng said.
Whether Atwoli yields to public pressure or remains backed by the COTU board, the outcome is likely to shape the organisation’s relevance in the years ahead.
– By Nusurah Nuhu
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