The Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU, has dismissed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s proposal to establish an alternative workers’ umbrella body, describing the move as misguided, politically motivated and unlikely to weaken Kenya’s established labour movement.
COTU said it was not threatened by the possibility of another workers’ federation being formed, noting that Kenya is a democratic country where freedom of association is protected.
However, the union federation accused Gachagua of using labour issues to advance a political agenda following his impeachment.
“On formation of another centre we are not threatened at all at all we are not threatened we are told by our deputy there is another union called TUC and our constitution provides every worker has a right to join a union of his choice this is not a threat. We have confidence in our SG let Gachagua and his crew do what they want”, said Kenya Electrical Traders and Allied Workers Union, KETAWU, Secretary General Ernest Nadome.
In a strong-worded response, COTU said Kenya’s trade union movement has deep historical roots and cannot be easily replaced by what it termed politically driven formations.
The federation argued that workers’ representation in the country has been built over decades through organized struggle, institutional development and engagement with employers, government and international labour bodies.
COTU said the labour movement in Kenya dates back to the early 1900s and has played a central role in defending workers’ rights, improving terms of employment and shaping national conversations on social justice and economic policy. It maintained that any attempt to create parallel structures for political convenience would not erase the role of established unions.
“We do not fear any other national centre coming about. They can bring as many as they can. When they get as many representatives then we will disappear but I do not see it happening because Rigathi Gachagua and Fazul Mohammed want to create their own national centre”, said COTU Deputy Secretary General Benson Okwaro.
The federation further accused Gachagua of launching unwarranted attacks against the labour movement, saying his criticism appeared to be linked more to political frustration than genuine concern for workers.
COTU insisted that workers’ issues require structured engagement, policy clarity and institutional credibility, not populist declarations.
Gachagua’s proposal is likely to trigger wider debate on the relationship between politics and organized labour, especially as political actors seek to build new support bases ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
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