Francis Atwoli is a popular figure in Kenyan culture. Atwoli, who dresses in luxury threads and flashy accessories while maintaining just enough of a cool demeanor to say his mind, has risen to prominence as one of Kenya’s most prominent content providers.
His humorous hash tags, such as “In whose hands will we be safe?,” “Shenzi Sana,” and “Alaaa!” have made him a celebrity.
This highly prominent figure is the longest-serving Secretary-General of the Council of Trade Unions of Kenya (COTU) and one of the wealthiest men in Kenya, with an estimated net worth of almost Ksh 1 billion.
Francis Atwoli spent the first half of his life in Kakamega County, Kenya, where he was born on June 6, 1949, before moving to Kajiado and then all around the world for his work.
Atwoli, who has been working since June 1967, is famous for his struggle to reform trade unionism and advance the interests of workers. Known as “the voice of the common worker mwananchi,” his words have inspired many.
Paternity leave was established and labor regulations were enforced vigorously during his presidency. He has worn the Central Organization of Trade Unions’ signature purple shirt for the past two decades, becoming a symbol of the union that organizes Labor Day festivities.
Atwoli is the Vice President of the International Labor Conference and the International Trade Union Confederation and the Secretary-General of the Kenya Plantation & Agricultural Workers Union and the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), among many other positions and organizations. He is also a member of the Governing Body of the International Labor Organization, the Trade Union Federation of Eastern Africa, and the Organization of African Trade Union Unity.
The COTU Secretary-General does not drink and is quite religious. Devotee of the Catholic faith, he never misses a mass.
Atwoli has opted for polygamy and currently maintains a trio of spouses as of the year 2021. His first wife, Jenifer Khainza Atwoli, was more courteous than his second, Roselinder Simiyu, in his words.
Atwoli’s third wife is the former KTN news anchor Mary Kilobi. He and Mary, who are 35 years apart in age, have been blissfully married since 2018, but he doesn’t care that there’s been backlash because they’re in love.
Atwoli is a man of means who enjoys showing off his good fortune. His outfits are either one-of-a-kind creations or designer labels that cost millions.
He wears a Franck Muller, the most expensive watch in the world, along with gold rings and the newest model smartphone. One time, during an interview on JKLive, he threw a brand new phone at a caller to show off his wealth.
The COTU Sec-Gen boasts a fleet of high-end automobiles, including a Mercedes Benz S300 Model and a Mercedes Maybach 6 Cabriolet, with a combined value of Ksh 600,000,000.
To put it simply, “Kila kitu yangu ni mzuri. To the matajiri and the koti, with love and thanks.
In Kumpa, Kajiado, Atwoli has a home that is nothing short of a palace. The spacious estate features a helipad, a restaurant with seating for 300, various guest rooms, and a parking lot for 100 cars.
Atwoli earns a monthly salary from COTU of at least Ksh 5,000,000, in addition to allowances from the several boards he serves on.
His salary isn’t the only thing keeping him afloat; he also owns a flower farm and rental properties in Nakuru and Nairobi.
Atwoli boasted about his fortune by saying that he had lent Ksh 110,000,000 to Cyrus Jirongo without collateral and that the money was due back in fifty days. A lawsuit was filed because the debt was not paid.
What kind of influence does one need to have a street named after them? Francis Atwoli has spent the last 54 years fighting for the rights of workers, and his efforts have paid off. Francis Atwoli Road, formerly known as Mandera Road, has been renamed in his honor for his contributions.
