Kenya’s long-serving trade union leader Francis Atwoli has dismissed calls for younger political leadership, insisting that experience, not age, is what the country needs.
Speaking at the opening of the Employment and Labour Relations Court Annual Symposium in Nairobi on Monday, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General argued that seasoned leaders bring stability and vision.
“Let no one tell you that this country needs young leaders,” Atwoli said. “Nowhere in the world. How old is Donald Trump? Even the Italian president is 93, he has to be assisted to the podium.”
Atwoli, who has held his post for 24 years, added that Kenyan workers have consistently stood by him because of continuity. “Even me, why do you think workers in Kenya have stuck with me all these years? They don’t want to let me go.”
His remarks come amid growing debate over whether Kenya should open up space for a younger generation in politics and public service. Advocates for youthful leadership argue that fresh ideas and innovation are needed to match the country’s changing demographics, with more than 75 per cent of the population under 35.
At the same event, Atwoli shifted focus to child welfare, stressing that the best way to protect children is to strengthen families. “We have advocated for stronger social protections and we know the best way to protect a child is to ensure that the parents have dignified livelihoods,” he said.
Chief Justice Martha Koome, who presided over the symposium at Strathmore University, underlined the urgency of tackling child labour. “If we are to take seriously the promises of our constitution, we must take seriously the fight against child labour,” she said. “Child labour is an evil in our society. It robs children of their dignity and their future.”
Justice Antony Mrima of the High Court called on Kenyans to support the judiciary in eradicating the practice. “The elimination of child labour cannot be done by the judiciary alone. May our conversations in this symposium inspire bold and practical steps to protect children and secure their full potential,” he said.
The symposium, now in its third edition, is centred on the theme “Elimination of All Forms of Child Labour and Access to Justice.”
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