COTU Members Threaten Mass Exit Over, Calls for Atwoli’s Resignation.
A storm is brewing within the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), as members affiliated with the Kenya Plantations and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) from Naivasha have called for Secretary-General Francis Atwoli to step down. The members have threatened to sever ties with the union entirely if their demands are not met.
In a highly charged gathering, the union members, who came out in large numbers, expressed their discontent with Atwoli’s long-standing leadership. They claimed he was detached from their daily struggles and too closely aligned with the interests of top political figures. According to the members, COTU had turned into an institution more focused on collecting workers’ monthly contributions than advocating for improved wages and working conditions.
During the rally, KPAWU Naivasha Branch Chairman Elias Walekhwa said the era of Atwoli’s dominance must come to an end. He stated that Atwoli had suggested workers would suffer in his absence, but countered that it would instead be the elite benefiting from his tenure who would feel the loss. Walekhwa added that Atwoli was unaware of the real issues affecting workers and that his continued leadership no longer impacted their lives in a meaningful way.
Union members harshly criticized Atwoli’s 24-year tenure, saying he had failed to fight for their rights or secure better pay. They warned him not to take smaller unions lightly, threatening to lead a movement that could inspire a wider defection from COTU. The members insisted they had the power to disrupt the financial pipeline that keeps COTU operational and vowed to take action if necessary.
“We have the ability to block the money he flaunts, and we are ready to lead our members out of COTU if the leadership continues ignoring us,” one member declared, emphasizing the resolve of the group.
KPAWU also challenged the composition of COTU’s top leadership, arguing it was dominated by individuals over 70 years old who were out of touch with modern labor needs. They urged the old guard to relinquish power and make way for younger, more dynamic leaders who could genuinely represent workers’ interests.
The unionists issued a firm 21-day ultimatum for Atwoli to resolve their grievances. Walekhwa stated that if their concerns remain unaddressed within the given timeframe, the workers would exit and seek representation in a union that prioritizes their welfare.
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The internal revolt comes shortly after Labour Day, where Atwoli had suggested he might retire. However, he also indicated that COTU board members had endorsed him for another term, which he intended to honor. This assurance failed to appease the KPAWU members, who saw it as a disregard for the voices on the ground.
Adding to his woes, the Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE) recently criticized Atwoli for excluding them from the Labour Day celebrations, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding his leadership.
COTU Members Threaten Mass Exit Over, Calls for Atwoli’s Resignation.
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