The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has been re-elected unopposed as secretary general of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union for another five-year term.
The union also threw its weight behind Atwoli’s bid to seek re-election as Cotu secretary general in the umbrella body’s polls set for August 2026, signalling continued confidence in his leadership within the labour movement.
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Speaking after the endorsement, Atwoli said the fresh mandate reflected the union’s trust in his leadership and reaffirmed his commitment to championing workers’ welfare. In a message shared on X, he noted that both his re-election and endorsement to contest the Cotu seat underscored his resolve to protect workers’ interests and improve their livelihoods.
Atwoli is now eyeing a sixth term at the Cotu elections. On January 6, he was unanimously endorsed by 42 secretary generals of Cotu-affiliated unions to defend his position as head of the federation.
A veteran and vocal trade unionist, Atwoli has earned both local and international recognition, frequently securing unopposed mandates to represent workers on global platforms.
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On June 10, 2025, he was unanimously re-elected as deputy president of the Commonwealth Trade Union Group (CTUG), a coalition of trade union centres from more than 40 Commonwealth countries representing over 70 million workers. Founded in 1979 as the Commonwealth Trade Union Council and renamed in 2004, CTUG is regarded as the most influential labour body within the Commonwealth.
Following his re-election, Atwoli said the outcome reflected strong confidence in his leadership and pledged to continue ensuring workers’ voices are heard at the highest decision-making levels across the Commonwealth.
At home, Atwoli was last re-elected unopposed as Cotu secretary general during the April 12, 2021 elections held at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu after the 14th quinquennial conference. He has led Cotu since 2001, succeeding the late Joseph Joy Mugalla, with his current term set to expire on May 26, 2026.
Beyond Cotu, Atwoli holds several influential roles in the global labour movement. On June 24, 2024, he secured a record fifth term as a titular member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Governing Body, making him the longest-serving member of the Geneva-based body. The term runs for three years.
Previously, on March 27, 2019, he was re-elected for a second consecutive term as president of the Global Industrial Relations Oversight Board during elections held in Geneva, Switzerland.
