COTU to suspend reinstated Secretary General George Muchai

KAKAMEGA COUNTY: Central Organization of Trade Union will suspend ousted deputy Secretary General George Muchai once, General Secretary of Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU) Isaac Andabwa has said.

Andabwa said registrar of trade union Esther Gicheha's move to reinstate Muchai is unconstitutional and un-procedural.

He said Muchai was properly and procedurally ousted by COTU. KNPSWU is an affiliate union of COTU. He said if the registrar persists in disowning the ouster, Muchai will be ousted once again.

"It was done in accordance with the constitution and laws governing the union which Muchai has been a staunch supporter before. Every society or union had clear rules that they use in their daily activities," Andabwa told The Standard.

Andabwa explained that delegates of the executive council unanimously voted to remove Muchai over allegations that he acted contrary to the union constitution.

He noted that Muchai was suspended because his continual stay in the office could have jeopardised the ongoing investigation process.

"Muchai was invited to an executive board meeting but he snubbed the invitation. This was the best platform for him to respond to allegations fronted to the board. Instead he chose to run to registrar's office," said Andabwa.

Last week Wednesday, Gicheha rejected Muchai's removal saying the union violated its own constitution.

In her letter, the registrar said COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli failed to prove that union's executive board gave Muchai an opportunity to defend himself.

"The registrar should and cannot deny a registered union form exercising their constitutional rights. Muchai had a right to appeal to the board an option he choose to ignore and ran to the registrar. The registrar should only come in after the union have exhausted all available options," said Andabwa.