State against police union, says Cotu

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has accused senior Government officials including the Attorney General Githu Muigai of frustrating efforts to register the Kenya Police Union.

Cotu Assistant Secretary General Ernest Nadome said despite the frustrations, the union was keen on having the police represented by a union. He said Cotu will not back down from the push to have the union registered.

Mr Nadome said Cotu was pushing, through courts, to have some sections of the labour laws amended so as to allow the police be members of unions.

"The Attorney General has delayed in changing the labour statutes to allow police to be members of the union. Through a court order, the AG was directed to amend the provision but up to date, he has not done so," said Nadome.

He said the realisation of a police union has been a long journey but assured the officers that they will soon have a body that will fight for their rights.

He said the officers have continued to suffer in silence, and that there was need for a body to deal with many issues they raise albeit silently.

Nadome who has been appointed by Cotu to push for the union said the officers will, however, not be allowed to go on strike.