COTU — Central Organization of Trade Unions, a workers' labor organization whose Secretary General Francis Atwoli figures prominently in Kenyan politics.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Standard
… He had served as KUDHEIHA's Sec-Gen for 19 years and as COTU's Treasurer for five months. …
Thomas Mboya appointed KUDHEIHA Acting Sec-GenCapital News
… The demand puts the caucus at odds with Mudavadi’s camp, which enjoys the backing of COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli. …
Oparanya caucus demands DP post in Ruto’s next termCitizen Digital
… He took a swipe at COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli over remarks suggesting Sifuna is too young to run for president and should wait his turn, telling the Spokane gathering that a 44-year-old is more than capable of leading a country the size of Kenya, noting that leaders fa …
No problem deputising Sifuna, or him deputising me, Gachagua says as he floats 2027 ticket formulaThe Standard
… The Standard established that a majority of unionisable officials were the ones on strike.By yesterday's close of business, talks between the union, the Ministry of Transport, and COTU were still ongoing, with parties expressing optimism that a solution will be reached to allow r …
JKIA grinds to a halt leaving passengers strandedCapital News
NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 30 – COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli says the country has no serious opposition without the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. …
Atwoli: Without Raila, there is no opposition in KenyaThe Standard
… To make matters worse, the administration's reliance on bombastic individuals like COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has further alienated many people. …
Mudavadi, Wetang'ula political stock trading at an all-time lowCapital News
… His remarks reiterated his earlier rejection of an offer by COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli to help raise KSh1 billion for a possible presidential campaign, insisting Kenyan politics should be freed from dependence on wealthy benefactors. …
Linda Mwananchi flexes opposition muscle in Trans Nzoia, dismiss disunity claimsCapital News
NAIROBI,Kenya Jul 21 – Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has publicly rejected an offer by COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli to bankroll his political ambitions, declaring that he would rather build a campaign financed by millions of ordinary Kenyans than owe his political future …
Sifuna: I Don’t Need Atwoli’s Sh1bn, Kenyans Will Finance My CampaignCitizen Digital
OPINION: Why Francis Atwoli Should Step Out of the Shadow of Time in Western Kenya Politics By Guest Writer July 14, 2026 10:13 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli. …
OPINION: Why Francis Atwoli Should Step Out of the Shadow of Time in Western Kenya PoliticsThe Standard
Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has launched a scathing attack on Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and his Linda Mwananchi brigade, warning that he cannot ascend to the presidency through the support of former President Uhuru Kenyatta. …
Atwoli claims Uhuru is funding Sifuna to split Western voteThe Registrar of Trade Unions has formally registered Thomas Mboya as Acting Secretary General of KUDHEIHA, following the death of former secretary general Albert Njeru. Mboya, a Senior Deputy Secretary General with over three decades of service in the union, has pledged to provide stable and inclusive leadership while protecting members' rights and welfare.
11 September 2026 · The Standard →
The Registrar of Trade Unions has formally registered Thomas Mboya as Acting Secretary General of KUDHEIHA, following the death of former secretary general Albert Njeru. Mboya, a Senior Deputy Secretary General with over three decades of service in the union, has pledged to provide stable and inclusive leadership while protecting members' rights and welfare.
11 September 2026 · The Standard →
A Western Kenya leaders' caucus convened by Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has demanded the Deputy President position in President William Ruto's post-2027 administration while backing his re-election, signalling a clash with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi's camp.
7 September 2026 · Capital News →
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has backed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's presidential ambitions for 2027, saying age should not prevent young leaders from seeking the top seat and describing Sifuna as one of the serious contenders. Gachagua said he has no problem either deputising Sifuna or Sifuna deputising him, and pushed back against COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli's suggestion that the 44-year-old Sifuna is too young to run.
6 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
An aviation workers' strike in its second day left numerous passengers stranded at airports across Kenya, including at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where some overnight passengers lacked accommodation and many flights were cancelled or rescheduled.
1 September 2026 · The Standard →
COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli says the country has no serious opposition without the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and called on opposition leaders to accept that Raila was the force holding the opposition together. Atwoli endorsed President William Ruto's leadership and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
30 August 2026 · Capital News →
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, once President Ruto's most valued allies in the 2022 election, have seen their political standing erode in Western Kenya; recent opinion polls show three of the country's worst-performing governors are from Bungoma, Busia, and Kakamega counties, undermining Kenya Kwanza's authority in the region.
11 August 2026 · The Standard →
Opposition leaders led by Edwin Sifuna, George Natembeya, James Orengo, Babu Owino, Godfrey Osotsi and Boni Khalwale campaigned in Trans Nzoia County, dismissing disunity claims and declaring their movement capable of denying President Ruto a second term in 2027.
26 July 2026 · Capital News →
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has publicly rejected COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli's offer to raise Sh1 billion for his campaign, saying he prefers a campaign financed by ordinary Kenyans rather than relying on wealthy benefactors. Sifuna said he would encourage supporters to make small donations through his Paybill account instead.
21 July 2026 · Capital News →
A guest opinion piece argues that Francis Atwoli, COTU Secretary-General, should step back from his role in Western Kenya politics, noting that while his influence as a trade unionist has been significant, leadership should be understood as stewardship rather than permanent tenure.
14 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli claimed at a church event in Kakamega County that former President Uhuru Kenyatta is secretly bankrolling Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and his Linda Mwananchi team, warning that Sifuna cannot reach the presidency through such support.
13 July 2026 · The Standard →
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission says it will monitor political leaders and periodically release lists of those engaging in hate speech and divisive rhetoric. NCIC chairperson Kepha Omae warned that the law will be applied regardless of political affiliation.
28 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
An opinion piece argues that Kenya's progress requires citizens to abandon tribalism, corruption and bribery, and embrace habits of honesty and fairness taught across families, schools and religious institutions.
22 June 2026 · The Standard →
Eight suspects have been arrested and charged following destruction and looting in Kagio town, Kirinyaga County, during a strike called by matatu operators over a fuel price increase. Police say they are pursuing more suspects and recovering stolen items.
23 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has attacked Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua for promoting tribal politics and risking national polarization, saying Gachagua lacks the capacity to unseat President William Ruto at the ballot. Atwoli also defended the broad-based government and criticized the opposition as lacking the ideals to challenge Ruto in 2027.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Opposition DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua launched an attack on President Ruto's economic and labour policies, accusing the government of "raiding" payslips and calling for an alternative workers' organisation to rival COTU. Gachagua claimed the economy has slowed from 7.6 per cent growth in 2021 to 4.6 per cent and criticized COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli for abandoning workers and aligning with the government.
5 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
An opinion piece argues that President Ruto's political advisors, including PCS Mudavadi and Speaker Wetang'ula, are not being honest with him about Western region politics, a situation the columnist warns could ultimately undermine his leadership.
5 May 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto's 61st Labour Day celebration was characterised by political mobilisation, with COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli prioritising support for Ruto's 2027 re-election over workers' welfare, while Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi called on the region to boost voter registration for a "tu-tam" victory for the President.
2 May 2026 · The Standard →
The 61st Labour Day celebrations presided over by President William Ruto were criticised for prioritising political mobilisation over workers' welfare, with COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi using the event to campaign for Ruto's 2027 re-election.
2 May 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto addressed Kenyan workers during Labour Day celebrations, calling for support for his second presidential bid and pledging to unite the country. He accused the opposition of fuelling division while political leaders endorsed his re-election campaign.
1 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto has announced a 12 percent increase in general wages and a 15 percent rise in agricultural wages to cushion workers against the rising cost of living. The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has called for at least a 23 percent minimum wage increase, citing previous increases of 22, 18, and 14 percent under former President Kibaki.
1 May 2026 · Capital News →
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticized the government in a Labour Day statement, saying Kenyan workers have little to celebrate amid shrinking incomes, rising taxes, and economic deterioration. Gachagua positioned himself as an ally of workers facing heavy taxation, stagnant wages, and rising cost of living, linking their plight to the 2027 General Election.
1 May 2026 · Capital News →
President William Ruto will lead the nation in marking Labour Day celebrations in Vihiga County, with the government and stakeholders having completed logistical arrangements. Labour union leaders are pushing for wage increases to help workers cope with rising fuel and food prices.
1 May 2026 · Capital News →
Labour Day ceremonies celebrate the dignity of work and honour workers, but many struggle daily with debt, bills, and survival, revealing a gap between official celebration and workers' lived reality.
1 May 2026 · The Standard →