The Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions-Kenya (COTU-K), Francis Atwoli, has officially announced the appointment of Rev. Joel Kandie Chebii as the new Chairman General of the workers’ body. Atwoli revealed in a statement to newsrooms on Friday that Rev. Kandie, who has devoted four decades of service to COTU, currently holds the position of General Secretary of the Tiles and Textiles Union.

Rev. Kandie’s election by the COTU Executive Board comes in the wake of the passing of the long-serving Chairman General, Rajabu Wellington Mwondi, who succumbed to illness at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu in August of this year.

In addition to this announcement, Atwoli disclosed that Wycliffe Nyamwatta, a two-decade veteran on COTU’s board, was elected as the 2nd Vice Chairman General of the trade union.

Atwoli took the opportunity to encourage the newly appointed officials to persist in their advocacy for the enhancement of Kenyan workers’ rights and overall well-being. He emphasized the importance of stability within the organization, stating, “Stability is key to any organization, and, as COTU (K), we shall continue ensuring that the Union is united and stable so as to serve Kenyan workers.”

Furthermore, Atwoli informed those present about the ongoing preparations for the 5th Congress of the International Confederation of Trade Unions (Africa), ITUC – Africa. COTU (K), affiliated with ITUC-Africa, is set to host the congress, expecting more than 500 delegates from across Africa and beyond. The focus of the congress will be on discussions regarding the future of labor in Africa and the pivotal role of trade unions in shaping and facilitating a better Africa.

The COTU boss expressed the organization’s privilege in hosting the event and emphasized the significance of the participants coming together to deliberate on the future of labor and the role of trade unions in the continent’s development.