Acting Labour CS Rachel Omamo denies knowledge of Kenya Airways staff dispute, employment of foreigners

Acting Labour Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo was hard-pressed by the Senate yesterday to explain the failure by the Kenya Airways (KQ) management to enforce the disputed 2014-2016 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiated by the workers representative union.

Acting Labour CS Omamo (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Also, the senators demanded to know why the ministry had remained inactive in dealing with the employees’ concerns, despite the Government being a major shareholder of the airline.

They took issue with the alleged hiring of 517 foreign employees with Class D permits at exorbitant salaries, and retrenchment of 447 employees including 10 captains.

Appearing before the Senate select committee, Ms Omamo and the Senior Deputy Labour Commissioner Isaiah Kirigwa told the committee that the ministry had appointed a reconciliator to spearhead tri-partisan negotiations.

Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior (Makueni) criticised the CS for taking time to appoint the reconciliator on public interest instead of waiting for things to get out of hand.

“The Government is a major stakeholder, what stopped the ministry from stepping in at the initial stages to address the situation?” he asked.

On the stalled CBA, Ms Omamo said, “The CBA issue and retrenchment is live before me and we will expedite it. The issue of recruitment of foreigners has not been brought to my attention; I will inquire and get back to the committee on the same with facts.”