Also known as: COTU SG Francis Atwoli · COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli · COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli · COTU boss · Secretary General Francis Atwoli · Dr. Francis Atwoli · COTU boss Atwoli · Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli · Dr Francis Atwoli
Francis Atwoli — COTU Secretary General involved in labour disputes and Western Kenya political engagement.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Capital News
… COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said over the weekend that unions are pushing for the pay rise to cushion workers against the rising fuel prices, the cost of transport, food and other basic goods. …
Gachagua : Workers Have Nothing to Celebrate This Labour DayCapital News
… COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said over the weekend that unions are pushing for the pay rise to cushion workers against the rising fuel prices, the cost of transport, food and other basic goods. …
Ruto to lead Labour Day celebrations in VihigaThe Standard
President Ruto and COTU SG Francis Atwoli during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens. …
Behind the celebrations, workers juggle debt, bills and survival dailyThe Standard
… Leaders already present in the chilly, drizzling morning include Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, Cooperative CS Wycliffe Oparanya, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, Governors Ken Lusaka (Bungoma), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), and Kakamega's Fernandes Barasa. …
Vihiga lights up to Labour Day celebrationsThe Standard
… During the celebrations, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli hailed the hosting of the 2026 Labour Day celebrations in Vihiga County as a historic moment, noting that it was the first time the national event had been held outside Nairobi since independence.Speaking at Chavakali …
Workers dance to 'Vaida' hit as Vihiga hosts Labour Day feteThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeCentral Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to take firm action against what he termed premature political rallies, warning that workers will bear the greate …
Atwoli urges IEBC to curb premature rallies, warns workers will suffer unrestThe Standard
… COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, earlier in his remarks pleaded with the presdent to honour his pledges made last year, and see to the ratification of the ILO Conventions 189 and 190.“Mr President, I urge you to ensure the ratification of these two key convention already ra …
Ruto announces 12 per cent pay rise for Kenyan workersCapital News
… COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said arrangements are in top gear ahead of the national event scheduled to take place in Vihiga. …
Atwoli says all is set for Labour Day fete in VihigaThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeCOTU SG Francis Atwoli addresses workers, Nairobi. [Benard Orwongo, Standard] Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has called for urgent reforms in service delivery and urban planning in Nairobi City County, as the capital …
Atwoli faults Sakaja over running of Nairobi, calls for accountabilityThe Standard reports that Edwin Sifuna's rise is reshaping politics in Western Kenya, disrupting the region's long-established power structures dominated for over three decades by figures including Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetang'ula, and Wycliffe Oparanya.
27 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Standard reports that Edwin Sifuna's rise is reshaping politics in Western Kenya, disrupting the region's long-established power structures dominated for over three decades by figures including Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetang'ula, and Wycliffe Oparanya.
27 July 2026 · The Standard →
Western Kenya's political landscape, long dominated by figures like Mudavadi, Wetang'ula, and Oparanya, is experiencing unprecedented disruption from a rising political force, described as capable of shaking established centres of power simultaneously.
27 July 2026 · The Standard →
An opinion piece argues that the Ol Kalou by-election has punctured the UDA's narrative after the party had framed it as a referendum on President William Ruto's broad-based government and a confidence vote in the ruling coalition's political machinery. The editorial warns that the ruling party risks mistaking podium praise for polling data, and cautions against dismissing the result as merely a by-election without broader implications.
27 July 2026 · The Standard →
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 →
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 →
Linda Mwananchi movement leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, campaigned in Trans Nzoia County, declaring that the Western region's political leadership will unseat President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election and arguing that decades of failed regional leadership necessitate new direction for the Luhya community.
25 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions has opposed a reported KCAA plan to deploy National Youth Service personnel in airport security roles, warning it would replace permanent workers with insecure labour. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union is meanwhile pursuing a seven-day strike notice, citing grievances including that KCAA employees have gone more than 11 years without a new Collective Bargaining Agreement or salary review.
24 July 2026 · The Standard →
Charles Owino, a former police spokesman, has been appointed Government Spokesperson as part of President Ruto's presidential nominations and redeployments within the Executive. Former Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura was reassigned to head the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Disability Rights.
21 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
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 →
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 →
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale publicly disagreed with Deputy Governor Ayub Savula at a funeral in Lugari constituency over Western region's political path ahead of the 2027 General Election. Khalwale called on Savula to drop support for President William Ruto's re-election bid and instead back Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for the presidency.
19 July 2026 · The Standard →
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 →
Irene Kendi, a 39-year-old former Students Organisation of the University of Nairobi deputy president and youth empowerment activist, has announced her intention to run for the presidency in 2027, citing her leadership experience and work as a strategist for Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, and Raila Odinga.
13 July 2026 · The Standard →
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 →
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has demanded the immediate gazettement and implementation of a 12 per cent general wage increase announced by President William Ruto during Labour Day celebrations, saying recent wage adjustments focused only on the statutory minimum wage instead of the broader increase promised to all workers.
10 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions has rejected the Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary's recent wage gazette notice, arguing it published only a minimum wage increase rather than the 12 per cent general wage increase that President William Ruto announced. Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the two are distinct interventions, with a general increase benefiting all workers across the wage structure while a minimum wage increase applies only to those earning the statutory minimum.
10 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 →
Kenya's Employment and Labour Relations Court issued a June 11 judgment allowing outsourced and casual workers to join trade unions and benefit from collective bargaining agreements at their workplaces. COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli said the ruling would end discrimination between permanent and outsourced employees and improve wages and working conditions.
17 June 2026 · The Standard →
The Central Organization of Trade Unions has urged workers and employers to continue remitting enhanced NSSF contributions, saying the contribution framework under the NSSF Act, 2013 remains legally in force despite a recent Court of Appeal ruling that rejected the Fund's bid to suspend a judgment declaring the Act unconstitutional.
6 June 2026 · Capital News →
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 →
Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah renewed his advocacy for hemp-based economic transformation, claiming the plant represents a major global economic opportunity with countries like Canada investing in hemp-based industrial products and parts of Europe and the US having legalized its cultivation.
24 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
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 →
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions has criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for what it calls "unwarranted and reckless attacks" on Kenya's labour movement and leadership, saying he has no authority in workers' affairs. COTU also clarified that Francis Atwoli's endorsement of President William Ruto was a personal view, not the union's official position.
6 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
An opinion piece argues that President Ruto's 12 per cent minimum wage increase announced on Labour Day offers little real benefit to private security workers, citing the government's failure to enforce regulations against non-compliant security companies and inadequate implementation of existing protections.
5 May 2026 · The Standard →