The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has recalled earning a salary of Ksh140 when he got his first job in 1967, saying the amount was a lot of money for him at the time.
Atwoli explained that his earnings at the time included a salary of Ksh140 and a house allowance of Ksh40. He said the two amounts brought his total earnings to Ksh180.
“My first job, when I was employed in the year 1967, my salary was Ksh140 and house allowance was Ksh40; the total was Ksh180 that was 1967,” Atwoli said on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General said the Ksh140 salary was what he earned in his first job and added that the amount had a different value for him at the time compared to the money he earns today.
“So that was my salary, and that was a lot of money for me at that particular time,” Atwoli said.
Atwoli’s career
Speaking of jobs, Atwoli has been the COTU Secretary General since August 2001. He has also spoken about his repeated attempts to retire from the union, saying they have not been accepted.
In January 2026, Atwoli said he first requested to retire from the union in 2011. He later made another request in 2016, followed by a third attempt in 2021, but each request was rejected.
He explained that the union leadership declined to approve his retirement, citing constitutional provisions governing COTU and its 20 affiliated unions. Atwoli has therefore vowed to continue serving until the union officially releases him.
His recollection of his first salary offers a look back at the beginning of his working life in 1967. He said the Ksh140 salary, together with the Ksh40 house allowance, gave him a total of Ksh180.
Atwoli’s current position at COTU dates back to August 2001, meaning he has remained in the role for more than two decades, as his attempts to leave the union in 2011, 2016 and 2021 were all unsuccessful.
He has maintained that he will continue serving in the position until the union officially releases him.
