You will become useless: Francis Atwoli warns youth against reaching 25 without a wife

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has urged young people to marry by the age of 25, arguing that having a wife and starting a family helps one become more responsible.

Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Saturday, September 26, 2026, Atwoli offered his views on marriage, adulthood and family life, giving young people a specific age by which he believes they should consider settling down.

The veteran trade unionist directed his advice particularly at 25-year-olds, saying young men who reach that age should already be married and living with a family.

“The advice I can give a 25-year-old right now is that a 25-year-old boy must marry,” Atwoli said.

He went further to warn young men against allowing themselves to remain unmarried as they approach their late 20s, using the word “useless” to describe what he said could happen if they continued delaying marriage.

“If he goes up to 30 or 25, he becomes useless. He must have a wife,” he said.

Atwoli’s remarks appeared to place considerable emphasis on the presence of a wife and family in the life of a young man, with the COTU Secretary General arguing that marriage comes with responsibilities that can shape a person’s approach to adulthood.

He also addressed young people who are still pursuing their education, saying being in college should not necessarily be viewed as a reason to postpone starting a family.

“If he is in college, he must be with a family,” Atwoli said.

He then explained the reasoning behind his position, maintaining that having a family gives a person responsibilities that can influence how they conduct themselves.

“Family makes one responsible,” he said.

Atwoli subsequently returned to the age of 25, making it clear that his advice was not limited to people who had already completed their education or secured established careers.

He said young people who attain the ages of 25, 26 or 27 without a wife should consider themselves to have fallen behind in the responsibility that comes with family life.

“So that means if you attain the age of 25, 26 or 27 and you do not have a wife, then you are useless,” he said.

He then appealed to young people to consider marriage once they reach the age he had identified, extending his remarks to young women as well.

“So please kindly marry at the age of 25, or if you are a girl, get married,” Atwoli said.

Atwoli’s favourites

Away from his views on marriage, Atwoli was asked about his favourite Kenyan meal, with the COTU Secretary General giving a simple answer.

“My favourite Kenyan meal is beef,” he said.

The response offered a glimpse into his food preference, with Atwoli singling out beef when asked to identify the Kenyan meal he enjoys most.

Atwoli also disclosed the football clubs that have his support, distinguishing between the team he follows locally and the international club he backs.

The COTU boss said he supports AFC Leopards in Kenya before naming Arsenal as his preferred international club.

“I support AFC Leopards FC locally and internationally; I am an Arsenal fan,” he said.

His response therefore placed him among supporters who follow both Kenyan football and the English Premier League, with AFC Leopards representing his local allegiance and Arsenal his international choice.

Atwoli’s first job

The veteran trade unionist also travelled several decades back in time when he was asked about his first job, revealing that he began his working life in 1967.

“My first ever job was in 1967,” Atwoli said.

He also disclosed the salary he received at the time, revealing that he earned KSh140 per month.

“The salary was KSh140,” he said.

Atwoli added that although the amount may appear small by today’s standards, it represented significant earnings at the time.

“At that time, that was a lot of money,” he recalled.

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