Flamboyant Central Trade Organisation Union (Cotu) leader, Francis Atwoli, is famous for his flashy lifestyle and massive wealth, which has been a bone of contention for years.
In a report published by The Standard on Monday, February 3, Atwoli detailed his wish on how he wanted his family to live after his death.
“The money I have now is for helping the people. I do not want my family to fight over what I have when I am gone,” Atwoli stated, adding that he had nurtured several politicians in Kenya.
The trade unionist further defended his source of wealth, arguing that he had earned it legally as a public servant.
“I started working in June 1967. I have been working for more than 53 years. What do people think I earn?" Atwoli wondered.
The Cotu boss has never shied away from bragging about his wealth. In an interview with Jeff Koinange on Citizen TV, on Wednesday, October 23, Atwoli ignited an online stir when he flung his iPhone 11 pro max across the studio. The phone which was released by Apple on September 20, 2019, retails at approximately Ksh170,000.
In a JK Live interview on KTN on September 21, 2016, Atwoli stated that his daily attire is worth Ksh1 million. He also stated that he dons one of the most expensive watches in the world, a Franck Muller. The cheapest watch of the brand retails at $2,400 (approximately Ksh240,000).
He also reportedly owns various mansions in Nairobi, Nakuru and Ildamat in Kajiado County. He also has a posh rural home in Kakamega.
Atwoli's wish rekindles memories of several court battles by families of wealthy politicians over inheritances that often play out in the public.
The late billionaire and former cabinet minister Njenga Karume's family was in the spotlight in 2019, when his grandchild, Michelle Karume, died a pauper, after begging the family for months for assistance in financing her cancer treatment.
Karume's family has been embroiled in fierce inheritance battle ever since the former assistant minister died on February 12, 2012. Prior estimates had placed the tycoon's wealth by the time of his death at more than Ksh100 billion.
The family of the former director of intelligence, James Kanyotu, was also embroiled in a court battle in October 2019. Kanyotu was estimated to be worth Ksh20 billion when he died in 2008. In 2014 the court ordered all his children fighting for his property to undergo DNA tests in a bid to resolve the issue.
Fidel Odinga's (Raila Odinga's) late son) widow, Lwam Bekele was also involved in a tussle with the deceased's mother Ida Odinga over Fidel's property. On Wednesday, November 13, a High Court in Nairobi directed the family to settle the matter out of court.
Atwoli also disclosed that he was living a happy life after getting married to KTN anchor Mary Kilobi and was not considering marrying another wife.
“Maria is enough for now. I have Maria, and I am happy. Would you ask your father if he plans to marry another wife?,” Atwoli argued.
“Women should learn, there are many men my age who will just play with them and not marry them. They will confuse them and leave them. That is not right. Good women are few. Men should step up and marry them," Atwoli added.
