Atwoli Re-elected Unopposed as KPAWU General Secretary

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has been re-elected unopposed as the General Secretary of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU)

The elections were held on Saturday at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu, where Atwoli was returned unchallenged to continue steering the union’s leadership

Atwoli, a long-serving trade unionist, was first elected as KPAWU General Secretary in 1994 and has held the position continuously for over three decades. According to a statement issued after the elections, his tenure has been defined by what the union termed consistent and transformative leadership

“Under his stewardship, KPAWU has grown from fewer than 20,000 members into one of the largest trade unions in the region, currently representing over 650,000 workers in the plantation and agricultural sectors,” the statement read. The union also noted that it has more than 30 active Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) covering its membership

In his acceptance speech, Atwoli thanked KPAWU members for the trust and confidence they have shown in his leadership over the years. He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights and improving their welfare amid what he described as an increasingly dynamic labour market

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Dr. Atwoli further emphasized that all existing and future CBAs negotiated by KPAWU would continue to prioritize gratuity as a key benefit, underscoring the union’s focus on dignity, security, and fairness for its members

“The re-election reflects the strong confidence plantation and agricultural workers have in Atwoli’s leadership and vision as KPAWU continues to champion decent work, fair labour practices, and improved living standards for workers across Kenya,” the statement added