Atwoli urges IEBC to stop early rallies to protect workers

President William Ruto, alongside COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli/PCS

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to take firm action against what he termed as premature political rallies, warning that workers will bear the greatest burden if political tensions escalate.

Speaking during Labour Day celebrations, Atwoli expressed concern over rising political activity in the country despite the absence of an official campaign period, saying the situation risks undermining national stability and economic progress.

“We are very much concerned about the ongoing political rallies in this Republic, as elections," Atwoli said.

"We urge the IEBC to put a stop to this menace, and ask Kenyans to wait until the IEBC releases the campaign calendar for next year's elections."

He cautioned that unchecked political mobilisation and inflammatory rhetoric could fuel divisions that may later spill into instability.

According to him, such a scenario would have direct consequences on ordinary citizens, particularly workers, women, and children.

“At the end of the day, even if elections are carried out and whoever wins fairly, this polarisation might cause a problem in our country if we can’t put this on a stop,” he noted.

“In any country where we have political turmoil or strife, it is workers, women, and children who suffer.”

Atwoli emphasised that workers are the most vulnerable during periods of political unrest because they lack the means to shield themselves from economic shocks.

He warned that instability often disrupts livelihoods, slows down economic activity, and affects household incomes.

“Workers cannot run away,” he said, adding that leaders who incite division often do not remain in affected areas when crises occur.

“These 'self-proclaimed' leaders of the opposition, they will run away. You will not see them here. And they must be tamed by law,” Atwoli said, urging IEBC and government institutions to enforce electoral regulations strictly.

He further called on authorities to ensure adherence to the official electoral timetable, insisting that Kenya is currently not in an electioneering period and should instead focus on development priorities.

“This is the work of IEBC and our government, to make sure that since we are not in an electioneering period,” he said.

Atwoli also linked political stability to economic performance, noting that Kenya’s ongoing infrastructure development and economic reforms could be undermined by unnecessary political agitation.

The COTU boss reiterated that protecting workers’ interests must remain central to national decision-making, urging political actors to exercise restraint and prioritise unity and development.

Atwoli also used the platform to highlight a range of labour and socio-economic issues beyond politics, outlining key priorities for workers in Kenya.

He praised ongoing collective bargaining processes, noting that employers and unions had continued to work together to improve workers’ terms and conditions of service.

The leader urged sustained cooperation between labour and employers to strengthen economic growth and create more employment opportunities for the large number of young people entering the job market annually.

The COTU boss also lauded government-led infrastructure and development projects, saying they were transforming historically marginalised regions and stimulating job creation.

He singled out initiatives such as affordable housing and major road projects as interventions that have the potential to boost employment and improve living standards.

On labour reforms, Atwoli called for the ratification of key International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, including those aimed at protecting domestic workers and strengthening workplace safety standards.

He further raised concerns about outsourcing practices, urging the government to ensure outsourced workers receive equal treatment and statutory protections.

He also commended the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for its evolving investment role, saying it was increasingly contributing to both social protection and national development.