Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli has revealed that five of his 19 children have married Kikuyu women, making the disclosure while addressing mourners at a funeral in Embu on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Atwoli, who is from the Luhya community, said the women married into his family come from different parts of the country, including Nakuru, Kiambu and Nyeri. He added that his youngest son’s wife is a doctor from Nyeri.
Speaking in Embu, Atwoli used his own family to illustrate what he described as the importance of unity among Kenya’s communities. His remarks drew laughter from those gathered as he shared details about his children’s marriages and the different backgrounds represented within his family.
The veteran trade unionist said such intermarriages should be viewed as a strength rather than a reason for communities to remain divided. He argued that families formed across ethnic lines demonstrate how Kenyans can build lasting bonds despite coming from different communities.
Atwoli also criticised calls to divide the Mount Kenya region into separate political blocs, saying such efforts risk creating unnecessary hostility among communities that have lived and worked together for generations.
He pointed to a family at the gathering whose daughter had married a man from Kajiado as another example of the ties that connect Kenyans. Atwoli noted that the family had even given their son in law land, describing such relationships as an example of the kind of country he would like to see.
The remarks have since attracted attention online after footage of the speech was shared by Embu News Press on TikTok. Some viewers focused on Atwoli’s humorous delivery and the personal details about his family, while others highlighted his wider message on ethnic unity.
Atwoli has previously spoken publicly about his children and their different approaches to money and family life. During a UDA Western Region Aspirants Engagement forum, he said his firstborn son, Professor Lukoye Atwoli, follows a strict budget and is not as generous with money as his father.
He said his son sometimes earns more than him despite their different spending habits, using the example to caution against judging young leaders by comparing their lifestyles with those of their parents.