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Friday, 28 August 2026
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Friday, 28 August 2026
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Kenyan press · Organization

Central Organization of Trade Unions

Kenya's national trade union federation led by Francis Atwoli, organizing workers and commemorating Labour Day outside Nairobi for the first time in 2026.

2026-04-302026-08-28

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. Citizen Digital

    In a press statement on Thursday, the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) said it had taken serious note of Gachagua's allegations made on Wednesday.

    Atwoli cautions Gachagua over IEBC procurement claims
  3. Citizen Digital

    failed to make Raila president, you will not make Sifuna one By Dismas Nabiswa August 25, 2026 10:09 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Central Organization of Trade Unions

    Atwoli to Uhuru: You failed to make Raila president, you will not make Sifuna one
  4. Citizen Digital

    PHOTO: @AtwoliDza/X Audio By Vocalize The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has warned that security officers and government officials risk being fired from service for leaking confidential government information to former Deputy Preside

    Atwoli warns security officers leaking confidential information to Gachagua
  5. July 2026
  6. Citizen Digital

    Sifuna recently rejected an offer by Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli to support his political campaign by fundraising Ksh.1 billion.

    Sifuna rallies Kiminini residents in roadside Linda Mwananchi fundraiser
  7. Citizen Digital

    1 billion campaign money By Roy Ouma July 21, 2026 03:02 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has publicly rejected an offer by Central Organization of Trade Unions

    Sifuna to Atwoli: I do not need your Ksh.1 billion campaign money
  8. May 2026
  9. Citizen Digital

    mes Uhuru for Raila’s 2022 loss, says he never delivered Ksh.400M for agents By Citizen Reporter May 30, 2026 02:13 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize The Central Organization of Trade Unions

    Atwoli blames Uhuru for Raila’s 2022 loss, says he never delivered Ksh.400M for agents
  10. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya May 6 – The Central Organization of Trade Unions has condemned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over what it describes as “unwarranted, reckless, and publicity-seeking attacks” on Kenya’s labour movement.

    COTU Slams Gachagua Over “Reckless Attacks” on Trade Unions
  11. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeThe Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) has dismissed calls by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to form a parallel labour organisation, terming the proposal “reckless” and detrimental to workers’ unity.

    COTU dismisses Gachagua's push for rival labour body
  12. The Standard

    contradictions within government over economic figures. “A department in his own government has released figures, and he is saying those numbers are lying,” Gachagua added.Gachagua also turned his criticism on the labour movement, accusing the Central Organization of Trade Unions

    Gachagua slams Ruto's economic policies
  13. April 2026
  14. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 30 — Preparations for this year’s Labour Day celebrations are complete, the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) has announced.

    Atwoli says all is set for Labour Day fete in Vihiga

Yesterday

  1. Atwoli warns Gachagua against IEBC procurement allegations

    COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has cautioned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over unsubstantiated claims regarding the IEBC's procurement of the Integrated Elections Management System, saying such attacks risk destabilising the country ahead of the 2027 General Election.

    27 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 25 August

  1. Atwoli accuses Uhuru of attempting to divide Western region

    COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of trying to divide the Western region by backing Linda Mwananchi leader Edwin Sifuna for president in 2027, comparing it to Uhuru's failed effort to make Raila Odinga president in 2022. Atwoli urged the Mulembe community to remain united and vigilant against manipulation.

    25 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Monday 10 August

  1. Atwoli warns security officers against leaking information to Gachagua

    COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has warned that security officers and government officials risk being fired for leaking confidential government information to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing Gachagua of misusing such intelligence.

    10 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Sunday 26 July

  1. Sifuna collects roadside donations for Linda Mwananchi caravan

    Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna received contributions from Kiminini residents in Trans-Nzoia during a stopover for the Linda Mwananchi caravan, gathering both notes and coins from the crowd to fund travel to Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kitale.

    26 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 21 July

  1. Sifuna rejects Atwoli's billion-shilling campaign funding offer

    Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has publicly rejected COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli's offer to fundraise Ksh.1 billion for his political campaign, saying he prefers small contributions from millions of Kenyans to avoid creating opportunities for corruption.

    21 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 30 May

  1. Atwoli accuses Uhuru of failing to support Raila in 2022

    COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has warned Western Kenya politicians against associating with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, claiming Uhuru failed to fully support Azimio flagbearer Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential race. Atwoli alleged that Uhuru promised but never delivered Ksh.400 million for polling agents, resulting in Odinga's campaign lacking agents at polling stations.

    30 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 6 May

  1. COTU condemns Gachagua's "reckless attacks" on trade unions

    The Central Organization of Trade Unions has condemned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for what it describes as unwarranted attacks on Kenya's labour movement, accusing him of targeting COTU leadership and affiliated unions in a manner that undermines worker representation and national unity. COTU defended its Secretary General Francis Atwoli and dismissed proposals to form an alternative labour umbrella organization, emphasizing that trade unions are historically grounded institutions.

    6 May 2026 · Capital News

  2. COTU rejects Gachagua's proposal for rival labour union

    The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) has dismissed calls by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to form a parallel labour organisation, describing the proposal as "reckless" and detrimental to workers' unity. Gachagua accused the labour movement of failing to defend workers' interests and specifically criticised union leader Francis Atwoli for aligning with the government instead of championing workers' welfare.

    6 May 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 5 May

  1. Gachagua accuses Ruto of economic decline and worker hardship

    Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua has intensified criticism of President William Ruto, accusing the government of presiding over a struggling economy where growth has slowed from 7.6 per cent in 2021 to 4.6 per cent. Gachagua also alleged that officials releasing unfavourable economic data risk disciplinary action and criticised labour unions for failing to defend workers' interests against excessive statutory deductions.

    5 May 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 30 April

  1. COTU announces Labour Day celebrations set for Vihiga

    The Central Organization of Trade Unions has announced that preparations for Labour Day celebrations, scheduled to take place in Vihiga, are complete. COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the event, which will feature workers' assemblies and floats from factories and unions across the region, marks the first time Labour Day is being held outside the capital city.

    30 April 2026 · Capital News

Central Organization of Trade Unions — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute