Competing Labor Unions Clash: Parallel Labour Day Events Set for May 1
A confrontation is anticipated as competing labor unions get ready for separate Labour Day events to challenge the conventional celebrations organized by the Central Organization of Trade Unions Kenya (COTU-K).
The lesser-known Trade Unions Congress of Kenya (TUCO) has revealed it will conduct its celebrations on May 1 at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) Grounds, while the Central Organization of Trade Unions-Kenya (COTU-K) intends to hold its event at the Uhuru Gardens in Lang’ata, Nairobi, at the same time and date.
President William Ruto has been invited by both competing organizations to attend their respective events. However, insiders close to the presidency informed Gossipa2z.com that President Ruto has not yet confirmed his participation in any of the planned celebrations.
TUCO is linked with Charles Mukhwaya, the Secretary General of the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and has an ongoing dispute with COTU-K.
This feud goes back to the tenure of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s first term when the then Labour Cabinet Secretary, Kazungu Kambi, established TUCO to remove COTU-K Secretary General Francis Atwoli from his position.
In a letter sent to all union officials on April 24, TUCO extended an invitation to its members to participate in the 59th Labour Day celebrations at KICC on May 1.
The letter, written by TUCO’s convener Nyambega Gisesa, stated: “We are delighted to invite you to the 59th Labour Day celebration, which will take place at the KICC on 1st May 2024 at 9:00 am. This year’s event promises to be exceptional as we recognize and honor the hard work and dedication of workers in our great nation.”
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TUCO extended invitations to President Ruto, the Minister of Labour, the Permanent Secretary for Labour, and the Labour Commissioner to attend the celebrations.
Gisesa’s letter continued: “President William Ruto is set to lead the primary celebrations, honoring workers’ contributions to nation-building.”
TUCO has also invited Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, the person responsible for the proposed Labour Relations (Amendment) Bill 2024, which proposes term limits for leaders of unions and employer organizations or federations.
Moreover, TUCO extended an invitation to PSRA Director General Fazul Mahamed, who recently instructed security companies to cease sending union dues to COTU.
TUCO encouraged its members to avoid attending COTU’s event at Uhuru Gardens, alleging that the union’s leadership had neglected workers’ concerns during past celebrations.
Gisesa stated, “Further, you are requested to inform and mobilize your members to boycott the Francis Atwoli-led Labour Day celebrations which he plans to hold at Uhuru Gardens—a platform that only serves his ego and to chest thump a monologue ritual.”
The organizers of the TUCO festivities announced their plan to utilize Labour Day to make Kenyan workers aware that Francis Atwoli no longer speaks for them.
They are using the hashtags #AtwoliTawe, #EndofAtwoli, and #BoycottAtwoli in their clarion call to free the Kenyan workers from Atwoli’s entanglement.
TUCO emphasized that the celebrations should serve not only as a tradition but also as a chance for workers to show appreciation to the workforce that propels the nation’s economy, acknowledging the relentless efforts of employees across different industries.
Competing Labor Unions Clash: Parallel Labour Day Events Set for May 1
