Fr. Francis Lipwoni Atwoli, NOM (DZA) CBS, EBS, MBS (born 6 June 1949) is a Kenyan trade unionist who is currently serving as the Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya), COTU (K). He has served in that capacity since he was first elected in August 2001. He equally serves as the General Secretary of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers’ Union KPAWU since 1994.[2] Internationally, Atwoli serves workers as a titular member of the International Labor Organization Governing Body,[3] President of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) & Vice President of the International Trade Union Confederation.
Career
In his role as a representative of Kenyan workers, Francis Atwoli has continued championing for social justice by advocating for decent work, accountable governments, and better policies for workers. This has seen the membership of COTU (K) grow from 300,000 to now over 4,000,000. One of the major achievements of Atwoli was mainstreaming labor rights in the 2010 constitution.
Some of the official capacities Atwoli has served in, include :
- 2001 – to-date: Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions Kenya.
- 1994 – to-date: General Secretary of the Kenya Plantation & Agricultural Workers Union.
- 1986 – 1994: Director of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions, Kenya.
- 1971 – 1986: Branch Secretary, Union of Posts and Telecommunication Employees.
- 1967 – 1986: Senior Technician at Kenya Posts & Telecommunication Corporation.
Elected positions and appointments
| Dates | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 to date | Elected the President of the Pan African Labour movement, the Organization of African Trade Union Unity, OATUU | |
| 2008 to date | Elected as Member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization, (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland | |
| 2011 to date | Elected Board Member of Training Centre of the International Labour Organization in Turin, Italy | |
| 2001 to date | Member, Board of Trustees at the National Social Security Fund (Kenya) (NSSF) | |
| 2001 to date | Council Member of National Industrial Training Authority of Kenya (NITA) | |
| 2001 to 2010 | Member of National Aids Control Council of Kenya (NACC) | |
| 2001 to 2007 | Elected Vice President of the former ICFTU-AFRO in Nairobi, Kenya | |
| 2003 to date | Elected every year as Director of National Bank of Kenya | |
| 2003 to 2009 | Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) | |
| 2004 to date | Member of National Labour Board of Kenya | |
| 2005 to date | Elected Deputy President of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) based in Accra, Ghana | |
| 2005 to date | Elected President of Trade Union Federation of Eastern Africa (TUFEA) based in Khartoum, Sudan | |
| 2005 to date | Elected Executive Board Member and now serving Vice President of International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, based in Brussels, Belgium | |
| 2005 to date | Elected Chairman of East African Trade Union Confederation (EATUC) based in Arusha, Tanzania |
Other considerations
In addition to his responsibilities at COTU, Atwoli has the following additional responsibilities:
- Independent Non-Executive Director, National Bank of Kenya
- Chairman, East African Trade Union Confederation
- President, Trade Union Federation of Eastern Africa
- President, Organisation of African Trade Union Unity
- Member, Governing Body, International Labour Organization
- Vice President, International Labour Conference
- Vice President, The International Trade Union Confederation
- Secretary General, Kenya Plantation & Agricultural Workers Union
Awards
He is a recipient of both the Chief of the Burning Spear (CBS), Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) and the Moran of the Burning Spear, (MBS) awards in recognition of his role in Championing for Social Justice.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology conferred Atwoli the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (Labour Relations) Honoris Causa of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Family
Atwoli is married to two women, Jenifer Khainza and Mary Kilobi. Mr. Francis Atwoli has seventeen children.
