‘You Will Wish I Stayed Longer,’ Atwoli Hints at COTU Departure, Warns of Leadership Void

NAIROBI — Long-serving Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has signaled his imminent departure from leadership, issuing a stark warning that Kenyans will soon “realise there is something amiss” in the country’s labor movement after he steps down.

Speaking at a pre-Labor Day meeting on Saturday, Atwoli emphasized COTU’s significance on the continental stage, describing it as “one of the most powerful trade union organisations” in Africa.

“Soon, I will exit with all this group, that is when you will start realising there is something amiss in Kenya’s labour movement. You will see,” Atwoli told attendees, suggesting that his departure may create a leadership vacuum in Kenya’s trade union scene.

Francis Atwoli.

The veteran labor leader, who has held his position since 2001, earlier hinted at retirement during an address on May 14, noting that President William Ruto would likely be the last Head of State he serves under before returning to his home in Khwisero.

“I have had the opportunity to serve all the Presidents of Kenya since independence,” Atwoli reflected.

“I have seen the government of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the founding father of this nation, I have seen Mzee Daniel Moi’s government, which we were with for 24 years, I have seen the government of Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and yours (William Ruto).”

His remarks come as COTU prepares for Labor Day celebrations in 2025, a traditional platform for the union to address workers’ concerns nationwide.

Atwoli defended his legacy, highlighting achievements including his fight to secure paternity leave for Kenyan workers and his role in establishing five sets of labor laws.

He also pointed to COTU’s international influence, referencing the organization’s role in securing key positions for African representatives in global labor bodies.

The COTU Secretary General’s tenure has been a subject of public debate throughout his nearly quarter-century at the helm, with many questioning the duration of his leadership.

Despite these criticisms, Atwoli maintains that his contributions to Kenya’s labor movement will only be fully appreciated after his departure.

“Kenyans are keen on remembering their leaders after they have left office and not when serving them,” he observed, suggesting that his legacy will be better recognized in retrospect.

While Atwoli did not specify an exact retirement date, his statements mark the clearest indication yet that one of Kenya’s most recognizable and enduring labor leaders may soon step aside, potentially reshaping the landscape of workers’ representation in the country.