Francis Atwoli Re-Elected Unopposed as COTU Secretary-General for Fifth Term

Francis Atwoli has been re-elected as the secretary-general of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) for the fifth term.

The veteran trade unionist was voted unopposed by delegates during an exercise held at Tom Mboya Labor College, Kisumu on Friday.

Through Twitter, Atwoli thanked Kenyan workers for showing faith in his leadership.

"I promise to service you with all my might and strength and not betray the trust you have bestowed in me," Atwoli wrote.

The 71-year-old has served in the prestigious position since 2001 when he was first elected as the secretary-general of COTU to replace Joseph Mugalla.

COTU is the umbrella body of several workers’ unions in Kenya including Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Kenya National Union of Domestic Workers, Kenya Concrete Ceramic Tiles Interior Design Workers Union, Public Transport Workers Union, Rift Valley Workers Union, and Kenya Union of Secondary Non-Teaching Staff, among others.

Atwoli received both the Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) and the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) awards in recognition of his role in championing social justice