Press Release by Bro. Francis
Atwoli, COTU K) Secretary General, on the
Calls for the Change to the Anti-Graft Law, 16th March, 2007
The
Central Organisation of Trade Unions, COTU (K) considers
unfortunate and ill-intentioned calls by the Parliamentary
Committee on Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs to
effect changes to the Anti-graft Law.
Any changes to
this law, of course Section 26, 27 and 28 of the Anti-Corruption
and Economic Crimes Act referred to by Hon. Muite led committee
will be a big step backwards in this country’s resolve to fight
corruption.
Whereas the
supremacy of the legislature should be upheld, the same should
not be used by individuals involved in corruption and other
malpractices to curtail the work and powers of the Kenya
Anti-Corruption Commission which instead should be given powers
to investigate and prosecute corruption cases without any
interference from other arms of government including the
legislature or referring to the Attorney General.
It is absurd
that those pushing for the trimming of KACC powers are
individuals with shrewd and suspect pasts and in their efforts
to continue living in suspect, they want to see an
Anti-corruption body that exists without any powers.
Kenyan’s have
witnessed how corruption denies all and sundry vital services
and it is toll on the country’s economic growth and whereas we
are all privy to the fact that the fight against corruption was
being vitiated by the culture of impunity COTU (K) will not
allow any individuals to exploit the provisions within the
constitution to protect those corrupt.
The Kenyan
workers will not sit back and witness those elected by them use
the floor of the house to make laws in favour of individuals who
have presided over the country’s economic downfall including
other injustices against the poor majority and we will stop at
nothing in our efforts to ensure a just society for all
irrespective of their positions.
COTU (K) further
calls upon Hon. Paul Muite to stop operating under the armpits
of these suspicion-ridden individuals and portraying parliament
in such a negative light as reneging on its zero tolerance to
corruption when it should be the very institution that should
put in place effective laws to curb corruption.
At the same
time, and as a member of the KACC Board, COTU (K) will not wish
to sit on a body without any such powers to reign in corrupt
individuals and practices as such membership would be of no
meaning or any value to the workers of this country to warrant
their representation.
Press Release by Bro. Francis
Atwoli, COTU (K) Secretary General, on the
Call by FKE for the Establishment of the Industrial Court of
Appeal, 16th March, 2007
The Central
Organisation of Trade Unions, COTU (K) has read with concern reports appearing in a
section of the press attributed to the Federation of Kenya
Employers that the federation has called on the government to
establish the Industrial Court of Appeal for purposes of
challenging the rulings of the existing Industrial Court.
COTU (K) wishes
to take great exception to these calls and add that the
establishment of such a court will be a big loss to workers as
employers will use such an appeal court as a conduit to stiffle
and frustrate any efforts by workers to access justice.
Instead, we
want to see the Industrial Court given compelling powers in its
dispensation of justice as an arbitration court to reign in
unscrupulous employers and send them to jail incase they fail to
pay workers as demanded by the court.
It will be a
great de-service to this country and to the workers in
particular to be subjected to the agony of waiting for years for
litigation and arbitration by such an Industrial Court of Appeal
as demanded by the Federation of Kenya Employers Executive
Director. The issue of the Industrial Court is a tripartite
issue where workers, employers, and the government need to
widely consult. We warn the Federation of Kenya Employers to
stop arrogating itself the role of tripartism in Industrial
Relations Matters.
COTU (K) vows to
resist such moves and will not hesitate in its opposition to the
establishment of such a court with the motive of cushioning
unscrupulous employers against their unfair labour practices
targeted at the workers.
Press Release by Bro.
George M. Muchai, COTU(K) Deputy Secretary General, on the
forthcoming World Social Forum, 5th November, 2006
Ladies
and Gentlemen, Members
of the Press,
The 7th World Social
Forum will be held in Nairobi, Kenya from January 20th
– 25th, 2007 at Moi International Sports Centre,
Kasarani.
This is
an important event that will bring the world to Africa.
Activists, Social and Labour Movements, Networks, Coalitions and
other progressive forces from Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the
Caribbean, North America, Europe and all corners of Africa will
converge in Nairobi, Kenya for five days of cultural resistance
and celebration, panels, workshops, symposia, processions, film
nights and much more.
Despite
the importance that the country’s trade union movement attaches
to this event, we as leaders in the Trade Union movement have
been kept at bay as far as the planning and organization of the
event is concerned.
The World
Social Forum’s anti-capitalist and neo-liberal globalization
agenda carries with it the workers’ aspirations and it will be a
futile exercise for anybody to dare believe that such an event
could be organized, planned and executed without its core
subjects, namely the workers.
Whereas
we do not, as the umbrella workers’ body, wish to cast
aspersions to the importance the event holds for the world
workers, it would be prudent that workers ought to take a
central role in this event as opposed to the current
cat-and-mouse-game that the local organizing committee housed in
a local NGO office is playing.
The World
Social Forum Secretariat is charged with co-coordinating the
Social Forum process working in close collaboration with the
International Organizing Committee consisting of 129
organizations globally.
In
Africa, the African Social Forum Council co-ordinates the Social
Forum process and for the year 2007 forum, the Eastern Africa
Organizing Committee is hosting supported by the World Social
Forum Kenya Secretariat.
Interestingly, NGOs have hijacked this important process pushing
the core stakeholders of the process, namely the workers, to the
periphery as they grab the chance for their own selfish ends
attracting huge sums of donor funds that have since ended up in
individuals’ pockets.
These
individuals remain elusive to us despite our efforts to reach
them and whereas we would not wish to sabotage this event, we
demand that it should not be used as a conduit to siphon money
from foreign donors for selfish individuals ends but let it be
an event creating an opportunity to showcase Africa together
with her social and Trade Union movement partners.
The local
team of individuals purporting to own the process and who have
opted to shut the doors to everybody should own up soonest lest
the Kenyan workers will rise up against their underground
dealings and with consequences that may cost the forum a great
deal.
We
understand the amorphous structures that such event elsewhere
holds, however, for purposes of achieving its goal and
successfully reaching out to all, necessary mobilization is
required as opposed to only a click of individuals meeting in
hotels purportedly to meet on behalf of the rest with no clear
view as to which direction the event should take.
We remain
open to consultations and any individual who subscribes to the
forum’s ideologies is free to join us, but we will not allow a
small cartel of self appointed individuals answerable to
themselves and their accomplices to take the workers at ransom
shifting positions for conveniency purposes at the expense of
its’ subjects.
To this,
we say NO!
Thank
you.
Notice
of COTU(K) Governing Council Meeting - Saturday, 1st April, 2006
In Exercise of the powers conferred to me by Rule No. 4(f) of COTU(K)
Registered Constitution, I write to inform delegates and affiliated unions that
there will be a meeting of the COTU(K) Governing Council to be held at the Tom
Mboya Labour College, Kisumu on 20th May 2006 starting 9:00a.m., to elect the
COTU(K) office bearers and Executive Board Members. Francis Atwoli -
Secretary General.
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KUPRIPUPA Election
Results 2006 - Sunday, 5th March, 2006
The Chairman General of COTU(K), Brother Rajabu W. Mwondi, who is also the
General Secretary of Kenya Union of Printing, Publishing, Paper Manufacturers &
Allied Workers (KUPRIPUPA), successfully contested for the post of the General
Secretary in the on-going trade union elections and won the seat unopposed on
5th March, 2006. His victory enables him to defend his seat at COTU(K) in
May 2006.
The following officials were elected during the KUPRIPUPA Election:
National Chairman
Nelson Joshua Anzweni
National Vice-Chairman
Khisa S. Watiti
General Secretary
Rajabu Wellington Mwondi
Deputy General Secretary
Isaac Indetie Wamboye
Assistant General Secretary
Washington Ododa Adongo
Assistant General Secretary
Gideon Mutiso Wambua
National Treasurer
Peter Musasia Mahiga
Assistant Nation Treasurer
Dominic M. Kiunga
Director of Organization
John Adel Arogo
Trustee No. 1
Morris Okong'o Bwana
Trustee No. 2
James Kimondo
Trustee No. 3
Festus Kebeye
Central Council Members:
Tom Otieno
Paul Nyangweso
James Ngosire
Paul Eshiboko
Nixon Otieno Were
Simon Maina
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Kenya
Quarry & Mine Workers Union Election Results 2006 - Saturday, 25th
February, 2006
The General Secretary of Kenya Quarry & Mine Workers Union, Brother Wafula Wa
Musamia, successfully contested for the post of the General Secretary in
the on-going trade union elections and won the seat unopposed on 25th February,
2006.
The following officials were elected during the The Quarry & Mine Union
Election:
National Chairman
Jeremiah Korash Ole Mereso
1st National Vice-Chairman
Patrick Onyango Okello
2nd National Vice-Chairman
Josephat Nyoro Waithaka
General Secretary
Wafula Musamia
Deputy General Secretary
Nelson Mwaniki
Assistant General Secretary
Daniel Masibu Nyamai
National Treasurer
Julius Kimondio
Assistant Nation Treasurer
Joseph Kimaru
National Trustee
Kereto Ole Simitia
Trustee No. 1
Kinyanjui Ngugi
Trustee No. 2
Philip Cheboi
Trustee No. 3
Agnes Kamanthe
Finance Committee Members:
Gregory Mutunga
Samuel Achola
Shaban Kote
Bernard Onduto
Everlyne J. Ruto
Ole Sankei
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Amalgamated Union of Kenya Metal Workers Election Results 2006 -
Saturday, 25th February, 2006
The 2nd Trustee of COTU(K), Brother Maero Tindi who is also the General
Secretary of Amalgamated Union of Kenya Metal Workers, successfully contested
for the post of the Secretary General in the on-going trade union elections and
won the seat unopposed on 25th February, 2006. His victory hence enables
him to defend his seat at COTU(K) in May, 2006.
The following officials were elected during the Amalgamated Union of Kenya Metal
Workers Election:
National Chairman
Elly Omolo
1st National Vice-Chairman
Peter Musau Nthenge
2nd National Vice-Chairman
Philip Wambogo Asira
General Secretary
Maero Tindi
Deputy General Secretary
Justus Maina Otakwa
Assistant General Secretary
Washington Okwara
National Organizing Secretary
Edward Oluchiri
National Treasurer
Annah Okero
Assistant Nation Treasurer
Kavu Gube Kadilo
Trustee No. 1
Julius Bulemi
Trustee No. 2
Mary Jepkemboi Misigo
Trustee No. 3
Mwanyika Nyamawi Mwanyika
Finance Committee Members:
Moses Ojuka
Felix K. Sitonik
John Okeyo
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KPAWU Election Results
2006 - Tuesday, 4th February, 2006
The Secretary General of COTU(K), Brother Francis Atwoli, who is also the
General Secretary of Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union
successfully contested for the post of the General Secretary inthe on-going
trade union elections and won the seat unopposed on 4th February, 2006.
This victory will therefore enable him to defend his seat at COTU(K) in May
2006.
The following officials were elected during the KPAWU Election:
National Chairman
Peter Ulira
National Vice-Chairman
Margaret Wangui Gathuma
General Secretary
Francis Atwoli
Deputy General Secretary
Francis K. Waweru
Assistant General Secretary
Henry Mangaa Omasire
National Treasurer
Joshua Oyuga Okello
Assistant Nation Treasurer
Richard Mogire
Trustee No. 1
Nebert Wanjohi Maina
Trustee No. 2
Richard Juma
Trustee No. 3
Francis Chepkech Chesere
Committee Members:
Rashid Kombo
David Njoroge Wainaina
Janet Induri
Andrew M. Nandi
Reuben Gichunge
James C. Gitonga
David B. Omulama
Daniel Ouma
Meshack M. Khisa
Alex Wafula Simiyu
Samuel O. Otieno
David Ayaga Begi
George Okumu
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COTU (K) Election Calendar 2006
- Monday, 5th January, 2006
COTU (K) and affiliates go to election polls according to Rule No. 4. In
Accordance with the provisions of Rule No. 4 of the Central Organisation of
Trade Unions (Kenya), it has been agreed that the Trade Unions affiliated to
COTU (K) prepare for elections according to the following calendar:-
- Branch and National Trade Union Election
January - April 2006
- COTU (K) Governing Council Conference
19th - 21st May 2006 at Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu
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