The Central Organisation of Trade Unions-Kenya (COTU-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has announced the election of Rev. Joel Kandie Chebii as the new Chairman General of the workers’ body.

Atwoli, in a statement to newsrooms on Friday, said Rev. Kandie has served COTU for the past four decades and presently holds the position of General Secretary of the Tiles and Textiles Union.

Rev. Kandie’s election by the COTU Executive Board follows the death of long-serving Chairman General Rajabu Wellington Mwondi while undergoing treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu in August this year.

Atwoli similarly announced that Wycliffe Nyamwatta, who has served on COTU’s board for two decades, was also elected the 2nd Vice Chairman General of the trade union.

He went ahead to urge the newly elected officials to continue championing for the improvement of Kenyan workers’ rights and well-being.

“Stability is key to any organization and, as COTU (K), we shall continue ensuring that the Union is united and stable so as to serve Kenyan workers,” he said.

The COTU boss likewise informed those in attendance of the ongoing preparations aimed at securing the success of the 5th Congress of the International Confederation of Trade Unions (Africa), ITUC – Africa, a Togo-headquartered Pan-African trade union organization established in November 2007 following the merger of two former African trade unions.

“COTU (K), which is affiliated with the ITUC-Africa, is privileged to host the 5th Congress of the ITUC this year whereby more than 500 Delegates (from across Africa and outside Africa), including Trade Unionists and leaders in the Labour Movement,” said Atwoli.

“The participants will come together to, foremost, discuss the future of Labour in Africa and the role of trade unions in shaping and facilitating the attainment of a better Africa.”