Atwoli Wants PSRA Boss Fazul Arrested, Prosecuted For Allegedly Forging Academic Certificates
Francis Atwoli, the Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), has urged for the resignation and legal action against Fazul Mahamed, the Director General of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA), alleging that Mahamed falsified his academic qualifications to obtain his government position.
This follows Mahamed’s directive on Monday instructing private security firms to cease the practice of deducting and sending security officers’ fees to COTU. The directive comes with allegations that the union has not adequately represented the rights of private security officers in Kenya despite receiving monthly contributions from them.
Mahamed, in the directive that led to friction with Atwoli, also warned that security firms failing to comply with the order risked having their licenses revoked.
In a response on Tuesday, Atwoli raised doubts about Mahamed’s qualifications, referencing reports from 2016 by the EACC and the Office of the Ombudsman. These reports purportedly stated that Mahamed was unfit for public office due to accusations of fabricating a degree from Egerton University.
“At this point, COTU (K) urges the ODPP to expedite the prosecution of Fazul due to his alleged criminal activities, which led to his appointment as CEO of the NGO Board. If the ODPP fails to prosecute Fazul promptly, despite the evidence of his criminal activities, COTU (K) will engage a private prosecutor to protect Kenyan workers from this individual,” said Atwoli.
“Considering the lack of purpose and direction by Fazul, at the helm of PSRA, it might be prudent for him to resign so that the body finds a competent person who understands the role(s) of a regulator.”
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Furthermore, Atwoli criticized Mahamed for interfering in the operations of the Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU), the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and the Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE).
“In a manner to profess his megalomaniac character, Fazul has christened himself as the Employer, Regulator, and Union, at the same time. Without a doubt, the path Fazul has taken can only come to a tragic end following his Hyena-like Dilemma,” stated the COTU boss.
“It must be remembered that COTU is a free and independent trade union that is neither regulated by the Private Security Regulatory Authority nor any other government agency. As such the demands contained in the letter by PSRA can only be made by the union members and/or the respective union.”
Atwoli went on to characterize PSRA, led by Mahamed, as the primary obstacle to improving the rights and well-being of private security companies in Kenya.
“COTU has received numerous complaints on the same through our affiliate union, Kenya National Private Security Workers Union. PSRA has, for long, stood against the many reforms proposed by COTU (K) towards enhanced welfare of the Private Security Workers,” said Atwoli.
The leader of COTU also emphasized the legal structure governing the collection of union fees from PRSA.
“The union dues COTU (K) receives from Private Security Workers, through their Union’s Affiliation to COTU (K), is as a consequence of a Gazette Notice by the Ministry of Labour, dated 2nd September 2016, considering the labor laws and the requirements of the constitution of COTU,” he noted.
Atwoli Wants PSRA Boss Fazul Arrested, Prosecuted For Allegedly Forging Academic Certificates