Katibu Mkuu wa Muungano wa Vyama vya Wafanyakazi Nchini COTU, Francis Atwoli, amesema kwamba hivi karibuni Wakenya watatambua kuwa kuna kasoro katika sekta ya leba atakapostaafu.
Atwoli, ambaye amehudumu kwa muda mrefu katika wadhfahuo katika COTU, alisema kuwa wale wasiofahamu jinsi miundo ya mashirika ya kimataifa ya wafanyakazi inavyofanya kazi watakuwa wa kwanza kuidharau COTU.
“Cotu in Africa is one of the most powerful trade union organisations. If Cotu spearheaded the first African to pick an SG in the international organisation, it is not a joke,” alisema.
Aliendelea na kusema, “Soon, I will exit with all this group, that is when you will start realising there is something amiss in Kenya’s labour movement.”
Katibu Mkuu huyo alisema kuwa Wakenya huwa na desturi ya kuwakumbuka viongozi wao baada ya wao kustaafu badala ya kuwathamini wanapokuwa madarakani.
COTU ilifanya kikao maalum kabla ya maadhimisho ya siku ya wafanyakazi ya mwaka 2025.
Akizungumza Jumamosi Mei 14, 2025, Atwoli alidokeza kuwa ana mpango wa kustaafu katika uongozi wa COTU, akisema kuwa amehudumu chini ya Marais wote ambao Kenya imewahi kuwa nao.
Atwoli alisema kuwa Rais William Ruto huenda akawa Rais wa mwisho atakayehudumu chini yake kama kiongozi wa COTU.
“I have had the opportunity to serve all the Presidents of Kenya since independence. I have seen the government of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the founding father of this nation, I have seen Mzee Daniel Moi’s government, which we were with for 24 years, I have seen the government of Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and yours (William Ruto). Maybe your government will probably be the last government I serve and return to Khwisero.” alisema
Atwoli amehudumu kama Katibu Mkuu wa COTU tangu alipochaguliwa kwa mara ya kwanza Agosti 2001, na anaendelea kushikilia nafasi hiyo hadi sasa.
Uongozi wake katika chama hicho mara nyingi umekuwa ukizua mijadala miongoni mwa Wakenya.
Atwoli alisema kuwa kwa miaka mingi amepigania kuhakikisha wafanyakazi wa Kenya wanapata likizo ya uzazi kwa baba ikiwa ni juhudi zake katika sheria za wafanyakazi alizowasilisha.
