COTU, TUCO EVENTS CLASH: Atwoli In Hot Soup As Parallel Union Readies For Labour Day
3 min read
COTU, TUCO EVENTS CLASH: Atwoli In Hot Soup As Parallel Union Readies For Labour Day
A labor union competitor has said that it will stage its own Labor Day celebrations in opposition to the customary ones organized by the Central Organisation of Trade Unions Kenya (COTU-K), raising the prospect of a conflict.
The little-known Trade Unions Congress of Kenya (TUCO) unexpectedly revealed that its celebrations would take place on May 1 at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) Grounds.
On the other hand, COTU-K has set the same day and time for its celebrations in the Uhuru Gardens in Lang’ata, Nairobi, and both rival organizations have invited President William Ruto to honor the occasion.
According to people close to the president, President Ruto had not yet confirmed if he will attend any of the festivities as of last evening, People Daily was informed.
Charles Mukhwaya, the Secretary General of the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), is connected to Tuco.
Its conflict with COTU-K dates back to the first term of former President Uhuru Kenyatta when it was founded by then Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi in an attempt to remove COTU-K Secretary General Francis Atwoli from office.
Tuco extended an invitation to its members to participate in the 59th Labor Day celebrations, which will take place at KICC on May 1, in a letter dated April 24. The letter was addressed to all union leaders.
“We are delighted to invite you to the 59th Labour Day celebration, which will take place at the KICC on 1st May 2024 at 9:00am. This year’s event promises to be exceptional as we recognize and honour the hard work and dedication of workers in our great nation,” the letter written by Tuco’s convener Nyambega Gisesa read in part.
Gisesa’s letter went on: “The main celebrations are expected to be officiated by President William Ruto and acknowledgment of workers’ contribution to national building.”
Tuco, which blamed the union’s leadership for overlooking the suffering of workers during the previous celebrations, asked its members to avoid Cotu’s celebration at Uhuru Gardens.
“Further, you are requested to inform and mobilize your members to boycott the Francis Atwoli-led Labour Day celebrations which he plans to hold at Uhuru Gardens- a platform that only serves his ego and to chest thump a monologue ritual. For the last 23 years, Atwoli has held Labour Day celebrations using workers’ contributions with nothing beneficial to the Kenyan worker coming out of it – Let’s boycott,” Gisesa added.
According to Tuco, the festivities should be viewed by employees as a chance to show their appreciation for the labor force that propels the nation’s economy rather than just as a custom.
” We will use Labour Day celebrations to awaken the Kenyan worker to the reality that one Francis Atwoli no longer represents their interests.”
The convenors said that they have invited the President, Labour CS, Labour PS and Commissioner for Labour to the celebrations at KICC
The convenors have also sent invites to Migori Senator Eddy Oketch to be one of the key Speakers.
The youthful Senator is behind the new Labour Relations (Amendment) Bill 2024 which introduces a term limit for officials of unions and employers’ organisations or federations.
Further, they have also invited PSRA Director General Fazul Mahamed who last week ordered all security firms to immediately stop remitting union contributions to the Central Organization of Trade Unions, Cotu.
We are using the hashtags #AtwoliTawe #EndofAtwoli #BoycottAtwoli in our clarion call to free the Kenyan workers from Francis Atwoli’s entanglement
According to the union, it will be an occasion to honor the many hours put in by employees in a variety of industries.
Tuco’s correspondence contrasts with one that Cotu sent out on February 28th, inviting members of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) to its Labor Day celebrations in Uhuru Gardens on the same day.
COTU, TUCO EVENTS CLASH: Atwoli In Hot Soup As Parallel Union Readies For Labour Day
