Atwoli to run for another term as succession plan continues

A vicious succession battle is brewing within the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) ahead of the umbrella body’s elections later this month.

Sources within Cotu told of a plot to amend the umbrella union’s constitution during this month’s Annual General Meeting as part of a wider plot to manage the Atwoli succession politics.

The Sunday Nation established that the union had organised a meeting at a Kakamega hotel on the eve of the May 21 AGM to build consensus on the desired amendments.

According to insiders, long serving Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli had hinted at stepping down during the forthcoming AGM but was prevailed upon by a gang of old guard at the union’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to go for one more term.

“Atwoli did not want to contest but some members in the NEC did not want to retire with him. We felt that he changes his mind because left on their own, they may mess up things. So it was agreed that he stays on as a succession plan is arranged,” said Mr Atwoli’s Personal Assistant Adams Barasa.

Mr Barasa, however, confirmed that there was a proposal to amend the Cotu constitution during the AGM to be held at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu.    

“We may amend the constitution to have two deputy secretary-generals. One of these two deputies will enjoy substantive powers and this is the person who will most likely succeed Mr Atwoli,” said Mr Barasa.

Veteran trade unionist Wafula wa Musamia, however, dismissed the succession plans saying that anybody was free to vie for any elective position come May 21.

“There is nothing like a succession line-up of young Cotu leaders, you have seen what the so-called digital generation has done to this country, we need seasoned men to guide the young ones and that is why there is a Swahili saying that palipo wazee hapaharibiki neno (Nothing goes wrong where there are wise men,”) he said. 

While Mr Atwoli is set to defend his seat, sources revealed that majority of his generals at the executive board do not know their fate.

The consensus building will be attended by the outgoing executive board members and general secretaries of affiliate unions.

Over the past few years, Cotu has seen an unprecedented rise in the number of youthful secretaries of trade unions that are affiliated to the umbrella body, sending cold shivers down the spines of the elderly leaders.

NEW POSITION

The young leaders are said to enjoy the support of Mr Atwoli, who is said to have drastically reduced his membership to various boards where he represents workers’ interests.

However, this has not been received well by the old generation, who believe that their positions at the executive board are being targeted.

The new generation of trade union leaders within Cotu include Kenya Electrical, Trade and Allied Worker Union General Secretary Ernest Nadome, who has in the recent past been representing Mr Atwoli in meetings abroad. 

However, Mr Nadome has served in Cotu as an executive board member for a decade.

Others include Boniface Kavuvi of Kenya Commercial, Food and Allied Workers Union, Seth Panyako of National Nurses Union, Erick Oduor of Kenya Union of Journalists, Dr Omondi Oluga of Doctors Union and Moss Ndiema of Kenya Aviation Workers Union .

Ordinarily, Deputy Secretary-General Benson Okwaro would ascend to power in the event that Mr Atwoli calls it a day but he is equally among the older generation that is expected to create room for young faces.

Sources revealed amendments to the constitution could see another position of Deputy Secretary-General created whose holder would understudy Mr Awoli in readiness to take over the leadership mantle.