Atwoli says 42 union leaders have backed his August COTU bid
By Cy Muganda, January 6, 2026Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has announced that 42 General Secretaries from affiliated trade unions have unanimously endorsed his candidature for the upcoming COTU elections scheduled for August 2026.
Atwoli has served as COTU Secretary General since 2001, when he took over from the late Joseph Joy Mugalla, making him one of Kenya’s longest-serving trade union leaders.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Atwoli revealed that the endorsement came during a preparatory lunch meeting where the union leaders expressed their support for his continued leadership.
“Today, in my capacity as the Secretary General of COTU (K), I hosted 42 General Secretaries from affiliated trade unions for a preparatory lunch, during which they unanimously endorsed me to lead them into the COTU (K) elections scheduled for August this year, as a team and in solidarity,” Atwoli stated.
Unity and solidarity
The veteran trade unionist emphasised that the endorsement reflects unity and solidarity among affiliated unions as they prepare for the elections.
Atwoli pledged that together with the union leaders, they would continue to defend workers’ rights and strengthen COTU for the future.
“Together, in unity and solidarity, we shall continue to defend workers’ rights and strengthen COTU (K) for the future,” he said.
Trade Union elections
The endorsement comes as trade unions prepare for the 2026 election cycle, which is being overseen by the Office of the Registrar of Trade Unions in line with the Labour Relations Act, 2007.
In a circular issued on September 25, 2025, the Registrar formally notified all registered trade unions, employers’ organisations and federations of the timelines and requirements governing the upcoming polls.
According to the Registrar, branch-level elections are scheduled to take place between January 5 and March 31, 2026, while national elections will be conducted between April 1 and June 30, 2026.
The notice further states that elections for umbrella bodies, including the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), must be concluded by August 30, 2026.
“All elections must be held in strict compliance with the registered Constitutions as provided for under Section 34 of the Act. To this end, Trade Unions, Employers’ Organisations, and Federations are advised to ensure strict adherence to the constitutions and further ensure that the proper notices relating to the election requirements and venues are issued to their members well in advance to ensure smooth voting processes,” the registrar cautioned.
The elected officials will serve a five-year term, with elections required to be held at least once every five years.