Francis Atwoli takes side in row between president Ruto and the Judiciary
Francis Atwoli, the Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), has entered the corruption battle involving the Executive and Judiciary, asserting that the nation’s workforce strongly supports the judiciary.
Atwoli, in defending the judiciary against corruption allegations, emphasized the importance of handling the matter with prudence, cautioning that it could diminish investor confidence and undermine the credibility of the justice system.
“None of the judges we have here has come to us demanding any bribe and if I would have an opportunity to meet the President, I would kindly ask him to protect our Employment and Labour Relations Court because it is dear to me,” he said.
“The court has done immense work to bring industrial peace, democracy and stability which has made our economy grow.”
This development follows Chief Justice Martha Koome’s cautionary statement, made just a day ago, highlighting that the joint attack on the Judiciary by the two branches of the government could lead to chaos.
In recent weeks, President William Ruto and his associates have targeted the Judiciary, alleging corruption against certain judges and challenging court orders that impact infrastructure projects.
Atwoli characterized this concerted effort as detrimental in a nation that upholds the rule of law.
He emphasized that none of COTU’s affiliated unions had raised concerns about corruption within the Judiciary, particularly in the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC).
“Judges at the Employment and Labour Relations Courts have heard and determined many cases regarding labour and we have not heard any complaint about them,” he said.
“This is a court that protects the weak; therefore we will be at the forefront of protecting the court.”
The forthright labor leader expressed his intention to engage in a meaningful discussion with the President to delve into the issue extensively and explore potential solutions.
Additionally, Atwoli urged for investigations into the purported widespread corruption at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). He asserted that there are reports of workers at the airport openly accepting bribes from visitors to permit them to pass through with uninspected luggage.
“There is heavy corruption at the airport and I have raised the issue with the Transport CS. Foreigners are being asked to pay so that they can get out with their goods at the airport,” he said.
The COTU leader addressed the audience on Tuesday at the Lake Naivasha Resort during the inauguration of the International Labour Standards (ILS) training for judges and registrars of the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC).
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Francis Atwoli takes side in row between president Ruto and the Judiciary
