Francis Atwoli

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EBS, MBS

Francis Atwoli
Born (1949-06-06) 6 June 1949 (age 72)
Kakamega County, Kenya.
NationalityKenyan
CitizenshipKenya
Alma materCavendish University Uganda
National Labor College
University of Turin
OccupationTrade Unionist
Years active1967–present
TitleSecretary general of the Central Organization of Trade Unions of Kenya.

Francis Atwoli (born 6 June 1949) is a Kenyan trade unionist who is currently serving as the Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya) (COTU). He has served in that capacity since he was first elected in 2001.[1]

This is a highly controversial Union leader who has styled himself in the same vein as Jimmy Hoffa of the Teamsters. He is known to involve himself in political decision making - most recently organising the Bukhungu 2 conference in Western Kenya to galvanise the ‘endorsement’ of Raila Odinga - having previously done the same for Musalia Mudavadi.

While Mr Atwoli enjoys perks from his current union portfolio- things he is not shy to flaunt on social and print media, Kenyan workers continue to be some of the worst paid and highly taxed in Sub Saharan Africa.

Career[]

In his role as a representative of Kenyan workers, Atwoli has expressed criticism of politicians on issues such as their refusal to pay taxes on their allowances, and dabbling in corruption. He has also been critical of non-governmental bodies and global institutions including the World Bank, interfering with labor disputes. He openly supports police officers when they advocate for the creation of a police officers’ union.[2]

  • 2001 – to-date: Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions Kenya.
  • 1994 – to-date: General Secretary of the Kenya Plantation & Agricultural Workers Union.
  • 1986 – 1994: Director of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions, Kenya.
  • 1971 – 1986: Branch Secretary, Union of Posts and Telecommunication Employees.
  • 1967 – 1986: Senior Technician at Kenya Posts & Telecommunication Corporation.

Atwoli's chief achievement was getting a street named after him in May 2021, which was immediately vandalized and uprooted due to his unpopularity. Atwoli then lobbied the city government to reinstall the sign and a CCTV camera to monitor further vandalization attempts. Some observers, particularly on social media, noted that the entire event represented an especially offensive type of resource wastage given the government's inability to solve crimes committed against regular citizens.

Elected positions and appointments[]

Francis Atwoli's Positions of Responsibility
Dates Position Notes
2014 to date Elected the President of the Pan African Labour movement, the Organization of African Trade Union Unity, OATUU
2008 to date Elected as Member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization, (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland
2011 to date Elected Board Member of Training Centre of the International Labour Organization in Turin, Italy
2001 to date Member, Board of Trustees at the National Social Security Fund (Kenya) (NSSF)
2001 to date Council Member of National Industrial Training Authority of Kenya (NITA)
2001 to 2010 Member of National Aids Control Council of Kenya (NACC)
2001 to 2007 Elected Vice President of the former ICFTU-AFRO in Nairobi, Kenya
2003 to date Elected every year as Director of National Bank of Kenya
2003 to 2009 Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC)
2004 to date Member of National Labour Board of Kenya
2005 to date Elected Deputy President of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) based in Accra, Ghana
2005 to date Elected President of Trade Union Federation of Eastern Africa (TUFEA) based in Khartoum, Sudan
2005 to date Elected Executive Board Member and now serving Vice President of International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, based in Brussels, Belgium
2005 to date Elected Chairman of East African Trade Union Confederation (EATUC) based in Arusha, Tanzania

Other considerations[]

In addition to his responsibilities at COTU, Atwoli has the following additional responsibilities:

  • Independent Non-Executive Director, National Bank of Kenya
  • Chairman, East African Trade Union Confederation
  • President, Trade Union Federation of Eastern Africa
  • President, Organisation of African Trade Union Unity
  • Member, Governing Body, International Labour Organization
  • Vice President, International Labour Conference
  • Vice President, The International Trade Union Confederation[3][4]
  • Secretary General, Kenya Plantation & Agricultural Workers Union

Awards[]

He is a recipient of both the Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) and the Moran of the Burning Spear, (MBS) awards in recognition of his role in Championing for Social Justice.

Masinde Muliro of University of Science and Technology awarded Atwoli with an honorary Doctorate of humane letter D. Litt.

Family[]

Atwoli is married to two women, Jenifer Khainza and Mary Kilobi.[5] Mr. Francis Atwoli has seventeen children.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ COTU Kenya (2019). "The History of The Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU (Kenya): Francis Atwoli of KPAWU Elected COTU Secretary General". Nairobi: Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya) (COTU Kenya). Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  2. ^ Barasa, Lucas (1 May 2009). "Atwoli pushes for creation of union to champion police officers' rights". Daily Nation. Nairobi: Nation Media Group. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  3. ^ Keter, Gideon (6 June 2013). "Atwoli lands key position in Geneva". The Star (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  4. ^ Standard Reporter (8 December 2018). "Francis Atwoli bags fouth [sic] term at agency". The Standard (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  5. ^ Star Reporter (16 August 2018). "This man Atwoli: A loyal wife, a Sh5 million gold watch and 17 children". The Star (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  6. ^ Esther Muchene (August 2018). "Ninaweza kazi! Francis Atwoli speaks on marriage to Mary Kilobi". SDE.co.ke. Nairobi. Retrieved 24 February 2019.

External links[]

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