Cotu threatens to sue Mutua for using 'its colour' purple

What you need to know:

  • Elated participants at the event waved purple pennants bearing Dr Mutua’s name and the name of the new movement.
  • Cotu's lawyer said the purple colour is synonymous with the workers union and its usage creates an impression that the governor’s political movement is an affiliate.

The Central Organisation of Trade Union (Cotu) has threatened to sue Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua for using its traditional purple colours when he launched his Maendeleo Chap Chap movement.

Through lawyer Samuel Aduda, Cotu officials said their concern has been drawn to the party’s launch on Thursday at Nairobi's Bomas of Kenya that was decorated with the purple colour.

“Our attention has specifically been drawn to the adorning of the event venue in [the] colour purple and the attendants turning out in purple T-shirts. Indeed, the entire event was a sea of [the] colour purple,” said Aduda.

The elated participants at the event waved purple pennants bearing Dr Mutua’s name and the name of the new movement.

The union argues that whereas it recognises, acknowledges and appreciates Dr Mutua’s constitutional right to form or join a political outfit of his choice, it takes great exception to the usage of the colour purple.

“Cotu’s logo and which is duly registered is purple in colour. The purple colour derived from the logo is interwoven in its identity, persona and visibility.

"The colour purple has therefore been the signature colour of Cotu and the colour therefore symbolizes its values and philosophy as a workers’ umbrella body,” Mr Aduda said.

Mr Aduda said the colour purple is synonymous with the workers' union, adding that using the colour in the way and manner the Machakos County boss did at the launch of his party creates a deep impression that the governor’s Maendeleo Chap Chap movement is associated with Cotu.

Cotu is demanding that the governor stop using the colour purple in his movement's popularisation and promotion campaigns.