What You Need to Know
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has dismissed a petition challenging Francis Atwoli’s election for a sixth term as Secretary General. COTU labeled the petition as baseless, asserting that the petitioner lacked standing and was not a member of any affiliated union. Atwoli emphasized the election’s legitimacy, citing a 92% quorum of eligible delegates and adherence to the union’s byl
Africa-Press – Kenya. The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has defended his election as the union’s secretary general for the sixth term after a petition was filed challenging his election.
In a notice on Wednesday, March 18, COTU dismissed the petition as baseless and politically motivated.
Atwoli also claimed that the petitioner was neither a member of any affiliated union nor a participant in the union’s electoral processes, further questioning the petitioner’s standing to challenge the outcome of the election.
“It is important to note that the busybody behind the petition is neither a member of any affiliate union of COTU (K), nor an official of any trade union, nor a participant in the electoral process,” Atwoli stated in a statement.
In the statement, Atwoli emphasised that the elections were conducted in accordance with COTU’s constitution, citing a 92 per cent quorum of eligible delegates, high above the required threshold. He added that over 90 per cent of the union’s affiliates had completed their internal electoral processes before participating in the national vote.
“The COTU elections themselves were conducted with union’s overwhelming participation from affiliated unions, with a quorum of 92 per cent of eligible delegates, which is above the constitutional requirement of 51 per cent,” he added.
His statement comes hours after a petition was filed at the Employment and Labour Relations Court challenging his election as COTU boss on March 14.
In their argument, the petitioners alleged that the election exercise was conducted in complete violation and disregard for the legally prescribed union election cycle.
The petitioners also claimed that the poll that gave Atwoli a sixth straight term as the union’s boss was flawed and excluded some labour unions.
Atwoli clarified that the unions mentioned in the petition are not paid-up affiliates and therefore were not entitled to vote. Atwoli, however, confirmed that the unions attended the election as observers.
The statement further alluded to ongoing investigations by the anti-graft agency, alleging that the petitioner had previously been implicated in a case involving fake academic credentials.
While noting that the matter is now before the courts, COTU warned against what it termed as attempts to undermine the integrity of union leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has been a significant player in Kenya’s labor movement since its establishment in 1965. It represents various trade unions and advocates for workers’ rights, influencing labor policies and negotiations with the government. Over the years, COTU has faced challenges, including internal disputes and external pressures, particularly during election cycles, which often spark controversies regarding leadership legitimacy and electoral processes. The recent petition against Atwoli highlights ongoing tensions within the labor movement as unions navigate political landscapes and strive for representation.
