Central Organization of Trade Unions – COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli has secured his fourth consecutive term to lead the giant union which represents interests of workers from different sectors in Kenya.
Atwoli and the entire council were re-elected back to office unopposed in an election that seemed predetermined.
The elections which were held at the Tom Mboya Labor College in Kisumu attracted leaders of trade unions from across the globe.
Speaking after being re-elected into office, Atwoli promised to continue dedicating his life and time to champion for the rights of workers in the country despite the many challenges the union encounters in its quest for the rights of its members.
He appreciated being re-elected in a historic moment whereby he has become the first secretary-general to be elected to serve for four terms in a row as compared to his predecessors.
“I am today humbled before you delegates who have offered me another chance to serve you for the fourth term consecutively as your secretary-general and I don’t take it for granted,” he said.
Atwoli further said that he will continue fighting corruption that is rife in different spheres of the government and the private sector vowing not to relent until the war is won.
“On my part I promise to continue championing for the right of workers in this country and beyond without fear or favor and that the greatest prize is that I have offered my own life that you are aware is on the line but even if it means dying I would rather die but I will never betray your cause and mandate to us, I will never be compromised and I will never say yes to what I am supposed to say No..,” said the outspoken secretary.
On corruption, he further warned the corrupt in the country saying the wheels of justice despite grinding slowly, shall one day roll over them.
“I want to warn the corrupt in this country that the wheels of justice grind slowly but one day they shall roll over them and I am optimistic,” he said.
Atwoli who was first elected as secretary general in 2001 urged the members to pray for his protection from God against the corrupt people whom he said are baying for his blood fearing that he might die in the same way controversial businessman Jacob Juma did.
“There are those who fought and finished businessman Jacob Juma, God let these people be blinded against Atwoli because we will have nobody else if Atwoli is assassinated today and please God point their guns to themselves,” He further said.
“God let the corrupt people who have amassed the whole world when they die let their wives and children remain forever in courts fighting for the stolen property and let them not enjoy the ill-gotten wealth, Ooh God hear us,” he added.
The powerful secretary further pointed out to government agencies that have been beating and molesting demonstrators from the opposition against the independent electoral and boundaries commission (IEBC) saying it is unconstitutional.
COTU at the same time raised twelve resolutions that it wants the government to implement including dialogue to unlock the impasse facing the IEBC barely fourteen months to the general elections in August next year.
The elections were also attended by among others the leader of Amani National Congress party Musalia Mudavadi who called upon workers to support him in his quest for the presidency of this country promising to serve them better than the current administration.
Other officials elected into office alongside Atwoli included Rajabu Mwondi as general chairman, Joel K Chebii 1st chairman general, Francis Murage 2nd chairman general with Rebbecca Nyathogora as the treasurer.
Others were Benson Okwaro acting deputy secretary general, Earnest Nadome and Caroline Rutto as first and second assistant secretary general among many others holding positions that were all elected unopposed.
