Francis Atwoli: Kenyan trade unionist dominating global labour bodies

Besides his role at the trade union organization, Atwoli has several other roles - both locally and internationally - that decorate his imposingly diversified portfolio.

Come November 21, 2022, Atwoli added another feather to his cap after he was re-elected for the fourth term to the position of Vice President of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

A trade unionist par excellence, Atwoli also serves as the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU)- a position he has held since 1994.

He is also the President of two bodies namely: Trade Union Federation of Eastern Africa (TUFEA) and the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU).

"Papa Atwoli" is also a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Governing Body and the National Labour Board, Kenya (NLB).

Atwoli previously served as a Trustee at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Director at the National Bank of Kenya (NBK).

His charges have earned him state commendations ranging from Chief of the Burning Spear (CBS), Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS), and the Moran of the Burning Spear, (MBS).

He has since earned a prefix to his name; after he was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters (Labour Relations) Honoris Causa by the Kakamega-based Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.