Atwoli re-elected unopposed as KPAWU Secretary-General

By Newsflash Writer

Veteran trade unionist Francis Atwoli has been returned unopposed as the Secretary-General of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU), extending his leadership for another five-year term.

The decision was reached during a delegates’ conference held at Tom Mboya College in Kisumu on Saturday, where union members unanimously endorsed Atwoli’s continued stewardship of the organisation. In the same meeting, delegates also cleared him to vie for the position of Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions–Kenya (COTU-K) in the elections scheduled for August.

“I want to thank the members of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union for re-electing me unopposed for another five-year term,” Atwoli said after the endorsement.

Fresh mandate

Following his re-election, Atwoli reaffirmed his dedication to championing the rights and welfare of workers across the country. He said the renewed mandate at KPAWU, coupled with the endorsement to seek the top seat at COTU-K, strengthened his resolve to continue advocating for labour interests.

“With this re-election and endorsement to contest for the position of Secretary General of COTU(K), I wish to affirm my commitment towards advancing workers’ interests and improving their welfare,” he stated.

Atwoli has held the position of General Secretary at KPAWU since 1994 and later rose to become COTU-K Secretary General in 2001. Over the decades, he has built a reputation as one of the most influential voices in Kenya’s labour movement.

Transforming organised labour

One of Atwoli’s most notable legacies is the dramatic expansion of COTU-K membership under his leadership. The umbrella body has grown from about 300,000 members to more than four million workers, elevating it into one of the most formidable labour organisations in the country.

He also played a key role in ensuring labour rights were entrenched in the 2010 Constitution, a milestone that provided workers with protections anchored in law rather than policy alone.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when jobs and incomes were under severe threat, Atwoli led negotiations with the government that resulted in critical relief measures. These included a reduction of VAT from 16 per cent to 14 per cent and the full exemption from PAYE tax for workers earning below Ksh24,000, easing the financial burden on thousands of households.

Local roots

At KPAWU, Atwoli has remained a vocal defender of agricultural and plantation workers, consistently pushing for improved wages and working conditions through Collective Bargaining Agreements. In 2020, these efforts saw some workers secure salary increases of up to 31 per cent. Beyond pay, he has advocated for safer workplaces and dignity for labourers who have long been marginalised in national economic debates.

His influence extends beyond Kenya’s borders. Atwoli has represented African workers on global platforms, becoming the first individual to serve four consecutive terms on the International Labour Organisation Governing Body.

He currently holds several high-ranking positions, including President of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity, Vice President of the International Trade Union Confederation, and Chairman of both the Global Workers’ Awareness Fund and the East African Trade Union Confederation.