Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has dismissed calls for young leaders in Kenya. According to him, the country is better off with experienced leaders who provide stability and growth.
Atwoli Defends Old Guard Leadership
Atwoli was speaking at the official opening of the Third Edition of the Employment and Labour Relations Court Annual Symposium (ELRASE III) in Nairobi. He said age should not be a factor when choosing leaders.
“Let no one tell you that this country needs young leaders. Nowhere in the world is that the case. How old is Donald Trump? Even the Italian president is 93 and has to be assisted to the podium,” he said.
Atwoli also pointed to his own career. He has led COTU for 24 years and says workers continue to support him because they prefer experienced leadership. “Even me, why do you think workers in Kenya have stuck with me all these years? They don’t want to let me go,” he added.
Protecting Children’s Rights
The COTU boss also spoke on children’s rights. He said the best way to protect children is to ensure parents have decent jobs and steady incomes.
“We have advocated for stronger social protections. We know the best way to protect a child is to ensure the parents have dignified livelihoods,” Atwoli noted.
Judiciary Calls to End Child Labour
The symposium was presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome. She stressed the need to fight child labour, calling it a serious threat to children’s dignity and future.
“Child labour is an evil in our society. It robs children of their dignity and their future,” said Koome.
High Court Judge Justice Antony Mrima supported her remarks. He urged Kenyans to join hands with the Judiciary to end child labour.
“The elimination of child labour cannot be done by the Judiciary alone. Our conversations here must inspire bold and practical steps to protect children,” he said.
About ELRASE III
The symposium, held at Strathmore University, was themed “Elimination of All Forms of Child Labour and Access to Justice.” It brought together leaders from the Judiciary, labour movement, and civil society to strengthen efforts to end child labour in Kenya.
