Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli retained his position as a titular member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) governing body after being elected for a fifth time.
In a statement released by COTU on Monday, it was revealed that Atwoli garnered the most votes, 97 out of 130, to emerge victorious.
The election, according to the statement issued by COTU took place during the ongoing 112th Session of the International Labour Conference, ILC.
The statement detailed that Atwoli will occupy the position for the next three years.
While reacting to the re-election, Dr. Atwoli noted that "this historic re-election not only marks my continued commitment to the international labour movement but also establishes me as the longest-serving member of the ILO Governing Body and I don't take it for granted.
Monday's election entrenches Atwoli's credentials as a long serving unionist locally and a widely recognised labour movement presence at the international stage.
Besides serving in the ILO’s governing body, Atwoli continues to serve as one of the Vice Presidents of the Global International Trade Union Confederation, Brussels (ITUC Brussels) and General Council Member of the ITUC African Regional Organization (ITUC-A).
Atwoli has also served as the President of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU).
The COTU Secretary General has also previously served as the General Secretary of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union.
"All these appointments reflect the trust that workers in Kenya, and beyond, have in me, in regards with to contribute to the governance and strategic direction of key institutions in Kenya and beyond. It also speaks to the broad expertise and the years of experience that I have acquired while serving workers world-wide," the statement issued by COTU read in part.
In addition to his union leadership roles, Atwoli has contributed to various boards, including the Social Health Authority (SHA), the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC), the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), the National Bank of Kenya (NBK), and others.
Despite the international appointments and services in several boards of national bodies, Atwoli is renown for his position within the national workers union COTU, where he has continued to serve for the last 2 decades.
