Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has been re-elected as the Deputy President of the Commonwealth Trade Union Group (CTUG).

In a statement on his official X account on Monday, June 10, Atwoli confirmed that he was elected unanimously by all representatives from the 40 CTUG member countries to serve his second term in the position for the next two years.

Atwoli is set to deputise Toni Moore of Barbados, who was elected as the President of the union, which represents over 70 million members globally.

"I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been unanimously re-elected this morning, as the Deputy President of the Commonwealth Trade Union Group (CTUG)," Atwoli said.

COTU boss Francis Atwoli speaking during a meeting on August 31, 2023.

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COTU

"The CTUG brings together national trade union centres from across the Commonwealth, representing over 70 million members in more than 40 countries," he added.

The CTUG operates under the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in Brussels. Atwoli secured his first term as Deputy President of the Union in June 2023.

The CTUG's primary focus is on enhancing the lives of workers, advocating for human and trade union rights, and promoting social justice worldwide.

"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to my sister and comrade, Ms. Toni Moore of Barbados, on her election as President. I look forward to continuing our work together in building stronger, fairer, and more inclusive labour systems across the Commonwealth," he said.

The announcement by Atwoli comes a month after the COTU board members declared their full support for Atwoli to continue serving as Secretary General of the Union for the sixth term, in the upcoming elections, which have been slated for next year.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, April 29, the board members asserted that Atwoli was the perfect fit for the job, especially given that no other candidate from the board had expressed interest in the seat.

"We, as the board, have already endorsed Atwoli as our candidate. We don’t have any other candidate among ourselves," the board said.

“There are people who are eyeing COTU leadership, and they do not have any business being involved because they are not even members of any trade union. So we don’t understand where their anxiety is coming from,” he added.

Atwoli has served in COTU, Kenya’s largest trade union federation, as the SG representing over 2 million workers since 2001.

President William Ruto exchanges pleasantries with COTU boss Francis Atwoli and FKE Executive Director Jacqueline Mugo (right) during the Labour Day Celebrations at Uhuru Gardens on May 1, 2023.

PCS