Francis Atwoli, the long-serving Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), is facing mounting public pressure to vacate the position he has held for over two decades. A viral online petition titled “Requesting Francis Atwoli to Retire from COTU” has sparked a national debate, amassing more than 9,000 signatures in just a few days.
The petition, started by activist Fatuma Abdulkadir Adan, argues that while Atwoli’s contributions to the Kenyan labor movement are undeniable, it is time for a generational transition in leadership.
“Atwoli has made his mark, but now he must step aside to allow new blood to inject energy, innovation, and relevance into COTU,” Adan said in a statement posted alongside the petition on Change.org.
The petition cites the need for leadership renewal, especially as Kenya’s labor market becomes increasingly dynamic due to digital transformation, youth unemployment, and shifting global employment patterns.
“This call for retirement is not motivated by ageism but by the aspiration to keep COTU dynamic, relevant, and effective,” the petition reads. “Francis Atwoli’s rich legacy will remain in the annals of labor history in Kenya, but every organization needs to evolve to remain influential.”
Atwoli has yet to issue an official response to the petition. However, sources close to his office have indicated that he still intends to contest in the upcoming labor movement elections scheduled later this year.
“Atwoli is a seasoned defender of workers’ rights. But his era has run its course,” said Alex Obuya, a Nairobi-based labor rights commentator. “Kenya’s workforce is younger, tech-savvy, and hungry for forward-thinking leadership. We need someone who can speak the language of this new generation.”
The petition comes amid growing criticism of Atwoli’s leadership style, with some accusing him of being out of touch with the realities facing today’s workers.
“He has become more of a political player than a workers’ advocate,” said Mary Wambui, a 32-year-old factory worker from Thika. “We want someone who understands what it means to survive in today’s economy — not someone clinging to power.”
Supporters of Atwoli argue that his experience and connections have been invaluable in advancing workers’ interests, pointing to major wins such as improved minimum wage laws and social security reforms.
But for many Kenyans, the sentiment is clear: COTU must evolve or risk irrelevance.
“We’re not asking Atwoli to erase his legacy,” said George Achieng, a youth union leader in Kisumu. “We’re simply asking him to make way for a new era — one that reflects the aspirations of Kenya’s 21st-century workforce.”
As the petition continues to gain traction online, all eyes are now on Atwoli and the COTU leadership. Whether the veteran trade unionist will heed the call to step down remains uncertain — but the pressure is undeniable.
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