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

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.

Comments

imkgoogo (not verified)     Thu, 08/23/2018 @ 04:08pm

This is shoddy reporter. If the 2nd wife was visiting his son, then she was not evicted. In any case, she has her own place.

Imara Halisi (not verified)     Thu, 08/23/2018 @ 05:23pm

Ndugu Atwoli hana utu (humanity) wala dhamiri (conscience). Kwa nini? Hivi majuzi alisema angependa kumwongezea rafiki yake Ndugu Uhuru miaka mingine mitano akiwa rais wa Kenya.
Pili, anawatumia wanawake kama karatasi ya kamasi.

maxiley (not verified)     Fri, 08/24/2018 @ 12:31am

In reply to by Imara Halisi (not verified)

@ Ndugu Imara,even though the african culture allows for a man to marry as many women as he can afford,I do not encourage it. For One, times have changed.Women are no longer parcels to be bought and shipped.
As you know, I have let science, define my culture.I really dont see the need for one man to have many wives at one time.
The desire for men to get another woman will always be there.But one has to ask themselves what would motivate them to have another woman.When you have many, problems occur,such as ndugu Atwoli is facing.
Yes one woman could still give you hell, but,3 can send you to your grave early.`
But I agree with you that this man has no Utu.

maxiley (not verified)     Fri, 08/24/2018 @ 12:43am

In reply to by Imara Halisi (not verified)

@ Ndugu Imara,even though the african culture allows for a man to marry as many women as he can afford,I do not encourage it. For One, times have changed.Women are no longer parcels to be bought and shipped.
As you know, I have let science, define my culture.I really dont see the need for one man to have many wives at one time.
The desire for men to get another woman will always be there.But one has to ask themselves what would motivate them to have another woman.When you have many, problems occur,such as ndugu Atwoli is facing.
Yes one woman could still give you hell, but,3 can send you to your grave early,when things are not working right.`
But I agree with you that this man has no Utu.
Regardless of the circumstances that let to wife 2 sleeping,be civil.She is the mother of your child,and still your wife.(not divorced yet, ithink).There is a13 year old child involved here.I think there is more to this story than what we are reading here.Regardless, the child should not be subjected to adult wranglings...

Nani? (not verified)     Fri, 08/24/2018 @ 03:45am

In reply to by Kenya (not verified)

Did you ever hit the nail on the head. I have just returned from Nairobi where all one needs is semblance of a deep pocket and bam!You cannot have your adult beverage in peace without some youngin approaching you. The days of hustling together for years are long gone. Most young folks, male or female, want a ready made man or woman.

Anna Kamau (not verified)     Thu, 08/23/2018 @ 08:05pm

Why can't Atwoli's brand new 3rd wife, KTN's Mary Kilobi who is half his age see that it is not a matter of if but when she will face the same treatment from Atwoli as other wives because a leopard can not change it spots! If I was Mary Kilobi I would run from Atwoli like I was an olympic sprinter! Run Mary run! You deserve better!

Imara Halisi (not verified)     Fri, 08/24/2018 @ 10:45am

Ndugu @Maxiley. Kusema kweli, nakubaliana nawe kabisa. Kuna mila nzuri na pia kuna mila za ajabu. Kwa nini Ndgu Atwoli anafikiri anahitaji wanawake watatu ili kuyatosheleza mahitaji yake ya ngono?

Ndugu Atwoli ana tamaa nyingi sana ya kutawala walio wanyonge. Ndiyo sababu amekuwa kiongozi wa COTU miaka nenda miaka rudi.

Je, Anawez kunipa mke wake mmoja nijishoteleze mahitaji yangu ya kike? Nina hakika Atwoli akiniona karibu n mke wake mmoja, bila shaka ataniua. Mimi mpaka sasa sijaelewa mwanamke anayekubali kuolewa kama mke wa pili, au wa tatu! Ningependa kujua, mwanamke anayekubali kuwa mwenza (co-wife)hawezi kumwonea huruma mke wa kwanza?

Mwishowe, shughuli za kuzaa watoto kama panya si za kisasa. Serikali yahitaji kutoa kauli familia (mke na mume) isizae zaidi ya watoto wawili. Na tabia ya kuoa zaidi ya mke mmoja ni mojawapo ya mila za kiafrika ambayo inahitaji kupigwa marufuku (ban) mara moja.

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