Kenya: General secretaries of unions affiliated to the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu), on Friday upheld the decision passed by the lobby's executive board to remove Deputy Secretary General George Muchai, from office.
The meeting, attended by more than 40 Cotu affiliate general secretaries voted to suspend Mr Muchai for breaching the union's constitution and acting contrary to the requirements of his office, adding that he chose to serve partisan political interest under the stewardship and influence of Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi.
Addressing the Press after the meeting, Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli, maintained that the decision to suspend his deputy was unanimous and not as a result of power struggle, as the organisation acted in accordance with its constitution.
"Twenty seven members against one, voted Muchai out and this decision has been affirmed by the general secretaries of affiliate unions without any due debate on the same," he said.
Mr Atwoli added: "If he had a half plus one, a quarter or even a third of the total members, then he would have said this is a power struggle. There can be no power struggle against yourself as an individual. As far as we are concerned, there is no power struggle and no vacant position."
Atwoli said Muchai broke the solidarity code by serving Mr Kambi's interest as opposed to the interest of the Kenyan workers.
"We move towards one direction and that is why we call ourselves brothers and sisters in the struggle for the betterment and protection of the interest of the workers," he said.
Muchai has been relieved of his duties including the private and public boards and replaced with Benson Okwiri in an acting capacity. Ernest Nadome was appointed to take Mr Okwiri's place as the assistant secretary general, while Nelson Mwaniki replaced the late Washington Ododa, as the third trustee.
Atwoli accused Muchai of seizing powers of the union's secretary general and being obsessed with undermining and subjecting the office of the secretary general in total disregard.
He said Muchai gave criminal investigation officers false information including falsifying documents in an effort to incriminate him.
"Once he had been promised that having reported to the police, Atwoli would be arrested and immediately jailed and the position remain vacant for him to occupy, he started acting contrary to the office and seizing powers. Coming here, directing and misdirecting, and saying he is in charge contrary to the requirement of the office of secretary general and the entire labour movement including the statues we operate under," said Atwoli.
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