Inside Atwoli’s Kilifi Mansion, Where Politics Meets Oceanfront Luxury

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli's Bofa Ocean View Mansion in Kilifi County serves as both a private residence and an increasingly significant venue for political gatherings. 

The coastal property underscores Atwoli's 24-year tenure as COTU Secretary-General, during which his influence has expanded alongside his visible affluence and political connections. The multi-storey, white façade of the Bofa Ocean View Mansion, situated near the Kilifi shoreline, features expansive grounds and unobstructed views of the Indian Ocean. Atwoli has described the ocean views as "therapeutic." 

The mansion's interiors, flooded with natural light through large glass windows, provide a backdrop for high-profile meetings, drawing prominent guests from both national and international spheres. Beyond its function as a private sanctuary, the mansion has evolved into an informal political salon. Atwoli routinely hosts high-ranking figures, including Members of Parliament, party leaders, and foreign dignitaries. 

Notably, he recently hosted over thirty lawmakers at the residence during an economic empowerment mission in Kilifi. Notable visitors include former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah. Atwoli first showcased the mansion in November 2021, when he hosted Raila Odinga and Kakamega MP Elsie Muhanda in what he described on social media as a gesture of friendship and political camaraderie. 

His posts, often accompanied by curated images of the residence and its guests, depict an environment of casual elegance where political reflections unfold against a serene ocean backdrop. The Kilifi home is part of a broader property portfolio that includes residences in Nakuru and Ildamat in Kajiado County, as well as a stately home in his native Kakamega. Each property reflects status and self-presentation. Atwoli's personal brand blends trade unionism with flamboyant statesmanship, seen through bespoke jewellery, tailored outfits, and a curated public image.

These displays have drawn both admiration and critique. Atwoli's persona, vocal, unapologetic, and meme-worthy, embodies this shift. His exclamations, such as "ala!" and "shenzi sana!" have become staples of local digital culture, reflecting a public figure who has blurred the lines between political gravitas and populist entertainment.