Kenya does not need young leaders - Francis Atwoli

According to Atwoli, maintaining the old guard is key to sustaining astute leadership and steady national growth.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the Third Edition of the Employment and Labour Relations Court Annual Symposium (ELRASE III) in Nairobi, Atwoli noted that the same principle has enabled him to retain his COTU role for 24 years.

"Let no one tell you that this country needs young leaders...no where in the world, how old is Donald Trump? Even the Italian president is 93, he has to be assisted to the podium," Atwoli noted.

"Even me, why do you think workers in Kenya have stuck with me all these years? They don't want to let me go."

The COTU boss further noted that children's rights should be safeguarded to ensure that they have appropriate facilities to enhance their development.

"We have advocated for stronger social protections and we know the best way to protect a child is to ensure that the parents have dignified livelihoods," he said.

The symposium held at Strathmore University was presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome, who stressed on the need to bolster the fight against child labour.

"If we are to take seriously the promises of our constitution, we must take seriously the fight against child labor," noted CKJ Koome.

"Child labour is an evil in our society. It robs children of their dignity and their future."

High Court Judge Justice Antony Mrima echoed her sentiments, calling on Kenyans to aid the Judiciary in taming the vice.

"The elimination of child labour cannot be done by the judiciary alone. May our conversations in this symposium inspire bold and practical steps to protect children and secure their full potential," he noted.

ELRASE III's theme is 'Elimination of All Forms of Child Labour and Access to Justice.'