COTU Boss Francis Atwoli Embroiled in a Bitter Domestic Row with His Second Wife Roselinda

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) secretary general Francis Atwoli allegedly forcibly threw out his second wife and their son, 13, from their Nairobi's Kileleshwa residence.

In a complaint filed with police on Wednesday, Roselinda Atwoli describes how the trade unionist evicted her and their son from the house on Tuesday evening.

She says she had gone to the house to visit their son at the apartment they acquired in 2006 when an altercation ensued, leading to her eviction together with the boy at 7 pm.

The two are said to have fallen out during last year's election when Roselinda sought to contest for Webuye West parliamentary seat. Her husband was opposed to her joining politics.

Atwoli is said to have taken away the boy from her mother in January, 2018. Roselinda lost in the election.

Responding to the allegations, Atwoli said he allowed her estranged wife to come and visit her son but she overstayed her welcome.

“I allowed her to come and visit the kid but not spend the night. I have a first wife who does not behave like Roselinda. She respects our marriage.”

Roselinda says issues in their marriage began in 2016 when she took her eldest daughter to study aviation in South Africa. She says Atwoli was so aggrieved that he wrote a letter to the South African institution to discontinue the girl’s studies. 

“From then he changed and it was like he had no soul ... any more. He was clearly blacked out. There was no person when I looked at him,” Roselinda said. 

“From 2016 to date, he has never assaulted me but I have heard all sorts of insults.” Roselinda said efforts to reach Atwoli to resolve the problems have been in vain.

Recently, an undated audio recording between Roselinda and Atwoli surfaced on social media where the two are heard arguing about a home in Kakamega. 

Atwoli has since married a third wife, KTN news anchor Mary Kilobi.