Leaders shun workers’ fete

Ministry and trade unionists were embarrassed by the public’s failure to attend Labour Day celebrations in Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium.

A spot check on Sunday revealed that the locals went about their private business — attending Sunday service, staying at home or opening up businesses, as usual.

Unionists milled around the dais in anticipation that their members and the public would attend the function as has been the case previously.

Union officials accused employers in the town of not allowing workers to attend the celebrations.

A battery of journalists and scores of children were the main audience at the event. Deputy secretary-general of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Union Mr Thomas Kemboi, who read Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli’s speech lashed out at employers including supermarket owners for failing to respect the trade union and workers rights.

“It is sad that today we are here addressing an empty stadium when our workers have been denied a few hours to attend,” he said.

But, speaking at the event, civil society representative Paul Masese told the trade union officials that Kenyans had lost hope in their ability of unions to champion for workers’ rights.

Similarly in Nyeri, the atmosphere was low key as workers in the town marked Labour Day. Unlike on other public holidays, no major ceremony had been planned.

According to Central PC Jasper Rugut, Labour Day celebrations in the province take place in Thika, since it is the major industrial centre.

A spot-check by Nation at both Ruringu stadium and Dedan Kimathi grounds revealed no celebrations.

At Kimathi grounds, traders were going about their business as usual selling clothes and other wares, while at Ruringu, there were only church services.