Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli has been re-elected unopposed as the General Secretary of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU), securing another five-year term at the helm of the powerful labour union.

In a statement following his re-election on Saturday, January 17, 2026, Atwoli expressed gratitude to KPAWU members for renewing their confidence in his leadership during the Quinquennial Conference at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu, terming the outcome a strong endorsement of his record and vision for workers in the plantation and agricultural sectors.

Still at the helm

”I want to thank the members of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) for RE-ELECTING me UNOPPOSED for another five (5) year term to the position of General Secretary,” Atwoli said.

The long-serving trade unionist noted that the fresh mandate not only allows him to continue steering KPAWU’s agenda but also comes with the union’s backing for his bid to contest the position of Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya), COTU (K).

Atwoli reaffirmed his commitment to championing workers’ rights, pledging to intensify efforts aimed at improving labour conditions, wages, and overall welfare. He said the renewed trust places a responsibility on him to push for policies that protect workers and strengthen social dialogue between labour, employers, and government.

”With this re-election and endorsement to contest for the position of Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya), COTU (K), I wish to affirm my commitment towards advancing workers’ interests and improving their welfare.” Francis Atwoli added.

Meanwhile, as Atwoli seeks to remain at the helm of COTU, the organisation has welcomed and pledged full support for the recent conservatory orders issued by the High Court of Kenya at Nakuru, suspending the engagement, procurement, and payment of private advocates and law firms by public entities where in-house legal officers already exist.

Legal outsourcing of legal services

”As the umbrella body representing Kenyan workers, COTU (K) considers the rampant outsourcing of legal services by national and county governments, state corporations, and parastatals to be a serious governance failure, a waste of public resources, a major cause of demoralization of in-house lawyers, and a direct threat to the sustainability of public institutions,” COTU said partly in a statement.

”As COTU (K) we have consistently opposed the outsourcing of services at all levels because it has resulted in job insecurity and demoralisation of workers. Further, the continued outsourcing of legal services and the hefty fee notes issued have left many public institutions financially weakened and workers exposed to delayed salaries, underfunded social protection, and deteriorating public services.” It added.

Francis Atwoli has served in his COTU capacity since he was first elected in August 2001. He has been the General Secretary of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers’ Union (KPAWU) since 1994.