Union wars rock Labour Day preparations

Confusion is emerging over this year’s Labour Day preparations after two rival trade unions separately invited President Uhuru Kenyatta to attend the event.

The battle for the control of the workers’ day has become the new frontier in the fight for control of the hearts and minds of Kenyan labourers after the registration of a new umbrella trade union, the Federation of Public Service Trade Unions of Kenya (PUSETU-K) to rival the the Central Organisation of Trade Unions.

There is also a push to sit on lucrative boards managing billions of shillings contributed by workers to the National Hospital Insurance Fund, National Social Security Fund and Retirement Benefits Authority, previously the preserve of Cotu.

Both the general secretary of the new union, Dr Charles Mukhwaya, and Cotu’s Francis Atwoli have separately invited the President to the May 1 event.

And Secretary for Labour Kazungu Kambi, who confirmed to the Sunday Nation that he had received invitations from both, said there should be no controversy over the matter as the government recognised both organisations.

“If both Cotu and Pusetu have written to the President, then it is within their rights. The unions are key stakeholders in the labour sector and are equal in the eyes of the government.”

But Mr Kambi said he is scheduled to hold talks with the two labour centres in order to arrange for smooth Labour Day celebrations as well as the formation of a Labour Board.

In bid to address the controversy surrounding the event, Cotu sought in an advertisement to dismiss their rivals, insisting that the only official invitation sent to the President is the one dispatched from their office.

But Dr Mukhwaya said Cotu’s presumption that Labour Day was their preserve has now been overtaken by events.

“Previously, Cotu assumed the role of organising and moderating the Labour Day event. But now, given that Pusetu, which represents the majority of Kenyan workers, is here, we demand that the responsibility of coordinating, organising and moderating the event be given to us. The general public and workers in this country have been led to believe that, which is wrong,” the general secretary said.

Dr Mukhwaya censured the Atwoli-led Cotu, accusing it of turning Labour Day celebrations into political rallies. “We have witnessed in the past Cotu convert the celebrations into political gatherings instead of addressing key issues affecting the Kenyan workers,” he said.

The Pusetu chief said his organisation intends to take full control of the event.

“We have Kenya National Union of Teachers, Union of Kenya Civil Servants, University Academic Staff Union, Kenya Universities Staff Union and the Dock Workers Union; others are in the process of joining. These are credible workers unions with verifiable numbers that are close to 700,000,” he said. Cotu, according to Pusetu, has just about 160,000 members from the private sector. 

He clarified that Pusetu, which is set to be launched on Tuesday at an event atctended by by three Cabinet secretaries, was not created to fight Cotu.

But Cotu assistant secretary general Benson Okwaro says they are the most representative, not only in Kenya but in the region, and that the Constitution does not envisage any of the Pusetu-K affiliates.

“It would be unfortunate for Cotu and its leadership to engage in any such shadow-boxing and clashes with Pusetu when we have an even bigger role to play globally,” Mr Okwaro said, adding that Mr Kambi was free to pick which body to work with in the interest of the country’s industrial relations stability.

Other Cabinet secretaries expected at the event are Prof Jacob Kaimenyi (Education) and Ms Anne Waiguru (Devolution). Pusetu officials hope Deputy President William Ruto will represent President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Ignored

According to the Federation’s vice chairman Prof Sammy Kubasu, the new outfit was formed to take care of the isolated public servants whose interests, he claims, were ignored by Cotu.

“Labour Day is not about making noise and insulting people. It is a day to celebrate workers; we are going to change the way the event is run,” Prof Kubasu said.

But behind the denials that Pusetu was created to fight Cotu, the new organisation’s executive director Njeru Kanyamba said the federation is also fighting for space in various bodies where the Constitution allows worker representation. “Our intention is not to drive them out of these boards, but if they want to leave, so be it,” he said.

Apart from NHIF, NSSF, SRC and the Labour Board, Cotu controls workers’ pension scheme, and has access to various public commissions as well as representing workers to various forums internationally. Regionally, he is the chairman of the East African Trade Union Confederation (EATUC).