Trade unionists must fill political vacuum

The political history of pre-independence Africa was shaped by trade unionists who after the arrest, murder and exiling of freedom fighters rose to fill the void.

With these trade unionists, the colonialists saw a new, more sober front of dealing with Africans, who by then were increasingly becoming enlightened.

The late Tom Mboya rose to national political prominence as a trade unionists after calling a dock workers’ strike in Mombasa, which is still touted as the most successfully organised industrial action.

Trade unionists are powerful people because they represent a productive segment of society. Workers have a number of dependants whose social, cultural, economic and political views are easily swayed. So, if well mobilised, workers can be effective change agents.

In Zimbabwe, for example, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai rose to prominence after mobilising workers and their dependants to defeat President Robert Mugabe in a constitutional referendum.

But in Kenya, workers’ unions have been largely missing in action due to political influence and ineffective leadership. This has also affected the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu).

But this is about to change. Cotu has planned a series of nationwide rallies to press the Government to accept reforms, end impunity and corruption, and avail a new constitution.

Lost faith

Kenyans have lost faith in the political class and civil society leaders who, instead of being the people’s watchdog, are now in bed with Government.

In the past, reform-minded MPs under the banner of Muungano wa Mageuzi constantly engaged the public and rallied determined wananchi against the then oppressive Kanu regime.

But MPs today are obsessed with wealth creation and have perfected the art of playing it safe lest they bite the hand that feeds them. They have become boardroom generals with no foot soldiers thereby rendering their pronouncements impotent. This is the vacuum that Cotu is trying to fill.

Cotu should emulate the Confederation of South African Trade Unions and form a strong political movement with sections of the society like community based organisations.

Then, hopefully, the corrupt political class can be peacefully dislodged from power.

{Cidi Otieno, via e-mail}

 

 

Read all about: Tom Mboya Morgan Tsvangirai Central Organisation of Trade Unions Cotu

 

 

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