Cotu’s rival backs NSSF Tassia project

By RAWLINGS OTIENO and MAUREEN ABWAO

Officials of the Public Service Trade Unions of Kenya (Pusetu) have defended the controversial NSSF Tassia project.

The union defended Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi and the NSSF board for the endorsement of the Sh4.6 billion project.

Pusetu dismissed Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli’s allegation that the Tassia project was fraudulent. They claimed that the outbursts by Atwoli were motivated by personal considerations, which had not yielded fruit.

“Atwoli has served as a member of the NSSF board for a considerable number of years. He had the platform to make objections in the boardroom but instead kept quiet and only reacted when the matter was no longer in his favour,” said Pusetu Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya.

In a Press briefing held in Nairobi, Pusetu claimed the public had been fed with half-truths regarding securing and funding of the project

Mukhwaya challenged Atwoli to let the project be done for the benefit of Kenyans and for those who contribute to the scheme.

“We contribute close to 80 per cent of the NSSF contributions as civil servants. Pusetu challenges the Cotu leadership to show how many paid-up members it has and if it makes annual returns as required by the Labour Relations Act of 2007,” said Mukhwaya.