Francis Atwoli Has Been Re-elected Unopposed.
Veteran Kenyan trade unionist Francis Atwoli has secured another term as General Secretary of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU), winning unopposed during the union's Quinquennial Conference held on Saturday at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu.
Atwoli, who also leads the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) as Secretary General, was returned to the KPAWU position for a fresh five-year period. He has occupied the role continuously since first being elected in 1994, marking over three decades of leadership.
In a statement released following the election, the union highlighted the remarkable expansion under Atwoli's guidance: “Under his stewardship, KPAWU has grown from less than 20,000 members into one of the largest trade unions in the region, currently boasting a membership of over 650,000 workers across the plantation and agricultural sectors, with more than 30 active Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) covering its members.”
Atwoli expressed deep appreciation for the endorsement in his acceptance remarks. “I want to thank the members of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) for re-electing me unopposed for another five-year term to the position of General Secretary,” he said.
He reaffirmed the union's dedication to safeguarding workers amid evolving labour challenges, pledging continued efforts to protect rights and promote welfare in a dynamic market. Atwoli further emphasized a key priority: “all existing and future CBAs negotiated by KPAWU would continue to prioritize gratuity as a central component of workers’ benefits,” stressing the focus on dignity, security, and fairness for members.
The union's announcement described the outcome as a clear sign of trust: “The re-election reflects the strong confidence of plantation and agricultural workers in Atwoli’s leadership and vision, as KPAWU continues to champion decent work, fair labour practices, and improved living standards for workers across Kenya.”
This latest mandate at KPAWU arrives as Atwoli prepares to seek re-election for a sixth term at COTU-K, having already received unanimous backing from affiliated unions earlier in January. His long tenure has been characterized by transformative growth for the union, which represents workers primarily in tea, coffee, flower, and other agricultural plantation industries.
