Unions' power strategy for next government

Knut’s first national Vice-Chairman, Samson Kaguma, also wants to inherit the Kangema seat after the demise of former Environment minister, John Michuki.

Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli had on his part scheduled a meeting of the umbrella union’s affiliates to decide whom to support in the presidential race or whether to field its own candidate.

G47 Alliance

Atwoli had earlier been associated with the G47 alliance that was said to be mainly fronted by trade unionists and civil society groups, but whose momentum seem to have slowed down.

The NGO council national chairman Mr Ken Wafula, who was privy to G47 activities, noted the group had planned to field a presidential candidate expected to be from outside the current parliament or political arena.

" The G47 was targeting about 10 million votes from workers, youth, women and Kenyans abroad and other sectors dissatisfied with the current political arrangement and leadership in the country," added Wafula who is also a close Atwoli ally.

Cotu Vice-Chairman Rev Joel Chebii says the union was still focused on its objective of propelling a workers’ friendly leadership to power and that many options would be explored before a final stand is taken.

The Cotu leadership played a key role in pushing for the Constitution during the 2010 national referendum and Atwoli has remained focused in pushing for full implementation of the new laws.

The National Nurses Association of Kenya national chairman, Luke Simba K’Odambo, noted while unionists are free to take part in elective politics like other Kenyans, they should be ready to demonstrate their ability to convince, make reasonable promises and deliver on them. "In union politics, we deal with professionals but national politics is a different ball-game altogether," added K’Odambo.

On Knut strategies for the coming election, Sossion told The Standard in an interview that the union was going to assist all its members interested in contesting various seats achieve their goal.

legal technicality

"Executive secretaries nursing political ambitions are already seeking support but there are equally Principals interested but who cannot campaign early due to legal technicalities," added Sossion.

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