By Stephen Makabila
As leading trade unionists deliver their messages to the Kenyan workforce during the last Labour Day ahead of the transitional General Elections, questions abound on their likely impact in shaping the next government.
Weighed-down by frustrations in their bid to improve the welfare of workers, the Central Organisation of Trade Union (Cotu) and the strongest union outside the Cotu umbrella, Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) have for months been warning they would not spectate but participate fully in moulding the country’s political destiny come the next polls.
The Head of Political Science at the University of Nairobi, Dr Adams Oloo, notes that while unions may not have direct impact on the coming polls, it would be a great boost for the person they rally behind for national leadership.
political developments
Knut national Chairman Wilson Sossion confirmed the union was closely following political developments in the country and that apart from over 50 of its branch executives going for various parliamentary seats, it would marshal teachers to rally behind a presidential candidate whose blue-print is positive to the needs of the education sector.
"Let no one take us for granted. In 2002, Knut decided to support President Kibaki and he won. This time round, we are going to rally behind one who has interests of teachers and the education sector at heart irrespective of party or ethnic affiliation," said Sossion.
"When leading presidential candidates make public their manifestoes, unionists would go for those that ensure their bread is buttered and that would be a morale booster to those being supported," Oloo noted.
Moi University law lecturer, Titus Bittok, says while workers are a force that cannot be ignored if well united, chances are they could fall to popular political wave known to emerge during elections in Kenya.
"Once they are promised improved terms of service in the manifestoes, they remain with nothing to agitate for and that could expose them to popular waves," added Bittok.
Agnes Musii, Knut executive secretary in Kyuso is targeting Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s Mwingi North constituency.
Kalonzo has indicated he will not defend his parliamentary seat.
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.
Knut had earlier requested the Teachers Service Commission to give teachers interested in politics leave of absence from work to enable them concentrate on campaigns, a request Sossion noted had been turned-down.
On presidential elections, Sossion noted the union was above tribal affiliation and that its choice would strictly be based on the agenda one has for the country.
Early in the year, presidential aspirant and Gichugu MP, Martha Karua, met Knut women leaders from the whole country in Nairobi, but Sossion pointed out the meeting was a mentorship for the women leaders. The Narc-Kenya leader is one of the most focused women MPs in the country.
"She was simply mentoring our women leaders and it had nothing to do with whether the union supports her bid or not. After all, most of the aspirants are yet to roll-out their agenda," added Sossion.
The controversy surrounding the election date and whether the 8-4-4 system of education should be scrapped or not, could also be a deciding factor of who teachers may back.
Knut has so far rejected scrapping off of the 8-4-4 system and opposed the March 4, 2013, election date.
However, it remains to be seen how the current crop of unionist are likely perform come the elections and whether they can match their predecessors such as the late Tom Mboya and the late JJ Mugalla both of who found their way into politics.
The massively popular and flamboyant Mboya was one of the country’s key post-Independence politicians.
