Atwoli Directs Kenyans to Report to Work Despite Azimio Demos
On Monday, Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli urged workers to disregard the opposition’s planned anti-government demonstrations and report to work on Tuesday.
In his Labour Day address at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Atwoli argued that Kenyans have nothing to gain by taking to the streets, adding that the trade union will not defend any employee who faces dismissal for missing work due to a protest.
“They (opposition leaders) have declared that tomorrow will be a day of protest, but workers, let us not take part. We are salaried individuals; if you miss work, you will be fired, and things can worsen. “You cannot defend anyone based on the fact that they were demonstrating,” Atwoli stated.
“There is nothing to gain… Employers and employees must support the president to stimulate economic growth,” the trade unionist added.
Sunday, opposition leader Raila Odinga insisted that the planned demonstrations in Nairobi will proceed despite the police’s refusal to allow them.
The leader of the coalition Azimio La Umoja One Kenya stated in a statement that the opposition is exercising their constitutional right to peacefully assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities.
As a result, he announced that they will present petitions to four government offices on Tuesday to exert pressure on the administration of President William Ruto to comply with their demands.
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Odinga, who has refused to concede defeat to Dr. Ruto in the August 2022 presidential election, stated that they will submit a petition to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to prove that the election results were manipulated and to demand an audit of the electoral servers.
“We will also petition the IEBC against the dismissal of the four commissioners because it sets a dangerous precedent that in all future elections, all commissioners will be required to agree with the chairperson of the IEBC,” he said.
He announced that the group will also submit a petition to the White House “proving that the cost of food, fuel, electricity, and fees remains unacceptably high.”
He added, “We will also petition OP to refrain from invading and destroying rival political parties, as was attempted at the Jubilee headquarters and through the auction of MPs in Parliament.”
According to Odinga, they will also petition the National Treasury for the immediate release of all funds owed to counties and for the prompt payment of all civil servants’ salaries.
“On that day, we intend to visit the Public Service Commission. To demand that appointments to public offices be made solely based on merit and inclusivity. As opposed to the tribe, as is the case currently. We cannot have a country with close to 50 tribes. Where only members of one tribe are appointed,” Odinga’s statement continued.
His announcement came one day after President Ruto issued a warning against any lawlessness. Or property destruction by opposition supporters during the criticized demonstrations.
Ruto stated on Saturday that he had offered Odinga the opportunity to address any grievances peacefully. Through the proposed bipartisan parliamentary process. The opposition leader chose to resume protests instead.
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“For the avoidance of doubt. There will be no demonstrations to damage people’s property. Cause chaos, prevent people from going to work. Or prevent our children from attending school. That will not occur, he stated.
Odinga ceased the protests on April 2. After President Ruto invited him to participate in bipartisan parliamentary discussions to address their grievances.
The opposition, however, has accused the Kenya Kwanza team of failing to commit to holding constructive talks. So the process has not yet taken off.
Odinga also demanded a dialogue similar to the National Accord of 2008, which President Ruto rejected.
Atwoli Directs Kenyans to Report to Work Despite Azimio Demos
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