Atwoli Hits Back At Gachagua Over Parallel Trade Union Proposal
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has hit back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his call for the formation of a parallel trade union.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 6, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli dismissed Gachagua’s idea, stating that the former DP lacked an understanding of Kenya’s labour history.
According to Atwoli, trade unions are legally established institutions built over decades and cannot be created as what he termed “political kiosks” to serve individual interests or grievances.
“His calls for the formation of another umbrella body to rival COTU are not only laughable but also expose his complete ignorance of trade unionism and labour organisation,” Atwoli stated.
“We wish to inform Gachagua that trade unions are not political kiosks created overnight to satisfy wounded egos or personal vendettas.”
COTU (K) STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE ATTACKS BY RIGATHI GACHAGUA ON TRADE UNIONS pic.twitter.com/Kynadz5wUe
— COTU KENYA (@COTU_K) May 6, 2026
He further warned that attempts to form parallel structures would not weaken the existing labour movement, which he maintained represents millions of workers across the country.
“COTU is a legally established national labour center with deep historical roots, international recognition, and millions of workers under its affiliated unions and no amount of political bitterness or tribal incitement from Mr. Gachagua will destabilise the Kenyan labour movement,” he added.
Atwoli’s latest sentiments comes a day after Gachagua slammed the COTU boss, accusing him of abandoning workers and advancing government ideas instead.
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Speaking during a workers’ forum in Nairobi on Tuesday, May 5, Gachagua said Atwoli’s actions made the government raid workers’ payslips through numerous deductions.
“We have a labour union led by a professional broker who dines with every government in power for his selfish interests,” Gachagua stated while attacking Atwoli.
As a result, the DCP Party leader proposed the formation of a rival union, which he said would better advance the interests of workers.
“It is about time we created another alternative organisation for workers against COTU so that workers have a choice,” Gachagua said.
The exchange comes amid uncertainty for Kenyan employees as COTU and the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) have clashed over a 12 per cent wage increment announced by President William Ruto on May 1.
Atwoli Hits Back At Gachagua Over Parallel Trade Union Proposal
