Atwoli Drops Rare 1984 Photo, Reveals Untold Story Behind His Rise to Power
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has ignited renewed interest in his decades-long labour career after sharing a rare black-and-white photograph from 1984, opening a window into the early days of Kenya’s trade union movement. The photo, posted on X, captures a young Atwoli addressing a press conference surrounded by fellow union officials during a heated campaign period that would eventually shape his rise to national prominence.
In the nostalgic post, Atwoli reveals that the image was taken during the campaign to take over leadership of the then-powerful Union of Posts and Telecommunications Employees (UPTE). At the time, he served as the Branch Secretary for Nairobi, while Benson Okwaro — seen standing behind him in the picture — was the Branch Secretary for Kericho. Okwaro now serves as his deputy at COTU (K).
According to Atwoli, the year marked a defining moment in his career as he prepared to run for the position of General Secretary of the union during the national elections. He describes the period as one filled with determination, strategy, and intense organizing — traits that would later come to define his leadership style.
Atwoli explained that the struggles and lessons of that era became the foundation upon which Kenya’s labour movement evolved. “The experience gained since then has helped us democratize and modernize the labour movement in Kenya to international standard,” he wrote, emphasizing that the journey toward strong labour institutions required resilience, sacrifice, and grassroots mobilization.
He added that the transformation of the labour movement did not happen overnight but through years of collective effort, reforms, and defending workers’ rights amid political and economic challenges. Atwoli’s reflection comes at a time when the labour space in Kenya continues to grapple with issues such as low wages, rising cost of living, and employer–employee disputes.
The long-serving COTU boss also used the moment to send a powerful message to younger leaders seeking political or union office, warning them against expecting quick success. “Those aspiring to leadership must know that there is no shortcut to political evolution,” he stated, stressing that leadership is built through consistency and experience, not instant gratification.
His post has sparked conversations online, with many Kenyans expressing surprise at how long Atwoli has been active in union politics, while others praised him for his unwavering commitment to workers’ welfare.
As Atwoli concluded in his message, he is “still going strong” — a bold reminder of his enduring influence in Kenya’s labour landscape, more than four decades after the iconic photo was taken.
