Written by Lisa Murimi
Veteran trade unionist and Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has been unanimously re-elected as the Deputy President of the Commonwealth Trade Union Group (CTUG) for a second term.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Monday, Atwoli confirmed that representatives from all 40 CTUG member countries backed his re-election.
He will now serve a two-year term alongside newly elected CTUG President Toni Moore of Barbados.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been unanimously re-elected this morning,” Atwoli stated.
“The CTUG brings together national trade union centres from across the Commonwealth, representing over 70 million members in more than 40 countries.”
CTUG, which operates under the umbrella of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in Brussels, advocates for workers’ rights, social justice, and equitable labour systems across Commonwealth nations.
Atwoli first assumed the role of Deputy President in June 2023. His re-election comes at a time of growing economic inequality and evolving labour markets, challenges he says demand “stronger, fairer, and more inclusive labour systems.”
He extended congratulations to his “sister and comrade,” Toni Moore, pledging continued collaboration to uplift workers across the globe.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to my sister and comrade, Ms. Toni Moore of Barbados, on her election as President. I look forward to continuing our work together in building stronger, fairer, and more inclusive labour systems across the Commonwealth,” he said.
Atwoli’s latest international victory follows a show of strong domestic support. In April, COTU’s board publicly endorsed his candidacy for a sixth term as Secretary General in next year’s internal elections.
“There are people eyeing the COTU leadership who have no business being involved because they are not even members of any trade union,” Atwoli said at a recent press briefing, dismissing speculation about internal competition.
Atwoli has led COTU since 2001, representing over 2 million Kenyan workers and becoming one of Africa’s most influential labour leaders.
