Workers gather to mark Labour Day at Uhuru park

Youth storm Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park on May 1, 2019. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The fete is presided by the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) boss Francis Atwoli.

Workers have gathered to mark the International Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.

The fete is led by the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) boss Francis Atwoli.

The celebrations were momentarily disrupted by youth who stormed the venue riding on boda bodas.

It was not clear what the rowdy youths, who wore T-shirts and banners bearing Sonko's image and name and shouting pro-Sonko chants, wanted but they later left the venue.

Youth storm Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park on May 1, 2019. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Cotu officials were called in to contain the agile youth as were security officers.

An altercation between a woman, who was among those who stormed Labour Day fete at Uhuru Park, and a security official on May 1, 2019. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko had arrived some minutes earlier and sat behind the VIP dais with other guests.

However, on learning of the county boss's presence at the event, Mr Atwoli escorted the governor to the VIP dais.

Among the politicians present are Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper party leader), Senator Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), and MPs.

Politicians at the Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on May 1, 2019. PHOTO | KENNEDY KIMANTHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

This year's Labour Day comes against the backdrop of the controversial 1.5 percent housing levy which the umbrella workers union Cotu has supported after several months of opposition.

Kenyans mark Labour Day at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on May 1, 2019. PHOTO | KENNEDY KIMANTHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Cotu rejected the new levy in September 2018, terming it unconstitutional and arguing that workers and employers were not consulted.

But last Sunday, Mr Atwoli said Cotu would support the levy which will see workers contribute 1.5 percent of their salaries if the government increases their wages by 15 percent.

Kenyans mark Labour Day at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on May 1, 2019. PHOTO | KENNEDY KIMANTHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

But the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) has said they will oppose any call to raise the general minimum wage.  

FKE chairman Mark Obuya argues that the government has no mandate to increase overall wage for the private sector.

FKE CEO Jackline Mugo skipped the gathering.