He claimed that if he had served for only one term, he would not have achieved the changes that have shaped the organization over the years.
“I have always been against the presidential term limit. If I had served for only one term, I would not have brought change to COTU. Ten years is not enough to build a nation.
If elected president today, I would abolish the presidential term limit, whether you like it or not,” Atwoli said.
His remarks quickly attracted strong reactions from political leaders, governance experts, and members of the public.
Supporters of Atwoli’s argument believe that long-term leadership can allow leaders to focus on development projects without the pressure of frequent elections.
They say some national plans, especially those involving infrastructure and economic reforms, require many years to complete successfully.
However, critics strongly disagreed with Atwoli’s position. They argued that presidential term limits are important in protecting democracy and preventing abuse of power.
According to governance experts, term limits help create leadership accountability by allowing citizens to regularly elect new leaders and bring fresh ideas into government.
Kenya introduced presidential term limits through constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions.
Many leaders and civil society groups consider the limits an important achievement that protects citizens from long-term political dominance by one individual.
Critics of Atwoli’s statement warned that removing such limits could weaken democratic systems and reduce opportunities for leadership transition.
Political analysts say Atwoli’s comments are likely to increase discussions about governance, leadership stability, and democracy in Kenya.
They note that debates about term limits are not new and have appeared in several African countries where leaders and citizens have disagreed over how long a president should stay in power.
Despite the criticism, Atwoli defended his views by pointing to his leadership experience at COTU.
He said the union has grown stronger during his time in office and has managed to improve the welfare of workers across the country.
According to him, leadership success often depends on consistency and time.
Members of the public have shared mixed reactions to Atwoli’s remarks. Some workers and union supporters praised his leadership and agreed that long-serving leaders can complete development projects effectively.
Others expressed concern, saying leadership rotation is necessary to prevent power from being concentrated in one person’s hands.
Civil society groups have also joined the conversation, urging leaders to respect the Constitution and the democratic principles that guide the country.
They stressed that leadership is not only about development but also about protecting freedoms and ensuring fair representation for citizens.