COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has made it clear that cremation is not an option he wants considered for members of his family.
Speaking during a church service on September 14, 2026, Atwoli reportedly issued a stern warning against anyone in the family who might choose cremation through their will.
Atwoli joked that he would continue roaming for 130 years in search of anyone who dared make such a provision.
The remarks were made in the presence of members of his family, underscoring the veteran trade unionist’s long-standing opposition to cremation, which he has previously criticised on cultural grounds.
Atwoli’s comments have generated fresh discussion on social media, reopening a wider conversation in Kenya about the changing choices surrounding death and burial.
While cremation has become an increasingly visible alternative to conventional burials, traditional burial customs remain deeply significant to many Kenyan families.