Cotu supports Raila’s presidential bid, to hold campaigns across the country

Trade unions affiliated with the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) have put their support behind Azimio-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s State House ambition, promising to hold campaigns across the nation.

The unions presented Odinga with a paper listing important issues they wanted to be handled by his administration if he clinches presidency in August 9, elections.

“It is important to have a union that will ensure workers don’t lose out….Historically we were dealing with ignorance, poverty, and disease, we are still dealing with the issues.

In the national anthem, there is the line of ‘plenty be found within our borders,’ this will not fall like manna from heaven, we must deal with the strengths of our people,” said Odinga.

During a session organised by Atwoli, the unions presented a memorandum to Odinga containing pressing issues they wanted handled by Odinga’s administration should he be elected.

“As a responsible trade union movement, you must be aware of the person coming in as President to manage the economic affairs of your country.

Will you be able to put in a mechanism that can allow our economies to grow, employ more people and improve terms and conditions of workers,” said Atwoli.

“ILO convention Section 87 and 98 gives union freedom of free collective bargaining as enshrined in Article 41 of our constitution on CBAs, there should be no hindrance in between and we are anchored in ILO laws,” he said.

“SRC is an illegal and amorphous organisation because it is no longer operating on its advisory because it should be allowed to stop any CBA entered among parties,” he added.

He also asked Odinga’s administration to institute reforms National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to align them to workers’ needs and benefits.

Odinga was flanked by his presidential campaign board chair Ndiritu Muriithi, Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o and secretariat spokesperson Makau Mutua.

“It is important to have a union that will ensure workers don’t lose out….Historically we were dealing with ignorance, poverty and disease, we are still dealing with the issues.

In the national anthem, there is the line of ‘plenty be found within our borders,’ this will not fall like manna from heaven, we must deal with the strengths of our people,” said Odinga.