Cotu calls strike over Kenya fuel prices
Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) boss Francis Atwoli on Sunday called for a 10-day national strike to protest the high cost of fuel.
Mr Atwoli joined sections of the transport industry lobby who want the cost of fuel cut by 30 per cent. The strike call was made during a paid-for live TV event.
Speaking to the Nation in the evening, Mr Atwoli said: “It is a national workers’ strike supported by public service vehicles.” He said the strike was scheduled to kick off at midnight on Sunday night.
“It has taken off, if it flops then it is not our mistake,” he said, adding the boycott was supported by the Matatu Welfare Association, the Matatu Drivers and Conductors Association, the Jua Kali Federation, the Tuk Tuk Owners Association and all boda boda operators.
A nationwide strike is a rarity in Kenya and this one appears to have been called without the usual round of warnings, notices and interventions by the Labour Ministry. (READ: Cotu threatens to call strike in protest over high cost of living)
A renewed militancy has been evident in recent months as employees, stung by the cost of living which has risen sharply, have demanded higher wages.
The latest were the doctors who last week called off their boycott to demand a 300 per cent salary increase. (READ: Doctors resume work after 10-day boycott)
Inflation is in the double digits, driven by the cost of food and high petrol prices. The situation was compounded by the collapse in the value of the shilling, which hit an all-time low of Sh107 to the dollar.
But with the rains, food is becoming more plentiful and prices are certain to inch down, while the Kenya Power and Lighting Company said last week that power bills would start to come down as the generation shifts from diesel to hydro.
The shilling has dramatically strengthened, closing on Friday at Sh82 to the dollar, meaning further reductions in prices of imports. (READ: Shilling now hits 83 against the dollar)
On Sunday, Mr Atwoli argued that a strike was the only way to get what he called political cartels in the petroleum industry to lower prices.
He said if the cost of fuel could be brought down by Sh5, then it can be brought down by Sh30. (READ: Fuel prices go down by Sh3-5 a litre)
But the strike was opposed by sections of the transport industry.
Matatu Owners Association (MOA) chairman Simon Kimutai dismissed the strike and said it was business as usual for operators. “The intended strike has been called by people who do not own vehicles,” said Mr Kimutai in Nairobi.
Several matatu saccos, the Transport Licensing Board, the Consumers Federation of Kenya and the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) also opposed the strike, saying it would only make matters worse for Kenyans.
FKE executive director Jacqueline Mugo accused Mr Atwoli of inciting Kenyans to violence.
“This is illegal and goes against the principle of justified strike action. All leaders should be careful against issuing alarmist statements as they would be held accountable for their statements,” said Mrs Mugo.
On Sunday evening, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka met Cotu, MWA and truck drivers’ union officials at Panafric Hotel in Nairobi and formed an ad hoc team comprising Transport officials and stakeholders to resolve the standoff.
“Let us exercise moderation through dialogue and openness to reduce the suffering of many Kenyans,” he said. In Nairobi, Metropolitan PSV Saccos Union chairman Peter Kiige said the timing was wrong.
Mr Kiige said the union had sought police protection to ensure smooth operations. “Let Cotu prove its popularity with workers by calling them out to strike directly instead of using the public transport sector to force workers into an involuntary strike,” Mr Kiige said.
Deputy traffic commandant Samwel Kimaru said they would deal with “saboteurs” firmly. “Traffic and crime police are on alert to ensure that passengers travel freely and safely,” he said. In Central Rift, matatu operators said they would not take part in the boycott.
“Our members have pressing financial obligations and we feel we cannot afford to go on strike since we have not exhausted available dialogue opportunities,” said the group’s chairman Njoroge Kariuki.
In South Nyanza, 10 matatu saccos rejected the strike, saying they had loans to service among other financial obligations. In Mombasa, saccos and operators said it would be business as usual and asked police for protection.
“We as vehicle owners oppose the strike. We shall put our vehicles on the road. This is Christmas and New Year festive season when Kenyans need to travel to their rural homes to meet their loved ones. How can we deny them that opportunity?” said the sacco’s secretary Salim Bates.
Reported by Fred Mukinda, Ashley Lime, Francis Mureithi, Simon Siele, Otieno Owida, Daniel Nyassy
