Francis Atwoli, Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), has entered the graft war between the Executive and Judicial branches of government, asserting that the nation's labor force fully supports the legal system.
Atwoli urged sobriety in the matter while defending the courts against graft charges and cautioning that it might erode investors' trust and credibility in the legal 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."
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This occurred just one day after Chief Justice Martha Koome issued a dire warning about the potential for chaos resulting from the two branches of government's onslaught against the judiciary.
President William Ruto and his allies have been focusing their attacks on the judiciary over the past few weeks, accusing judges of graft while issuing court orders that impact capital projects.
In a nation that upholds the rule of law, Atwoli described the assault as unhealthy and pointed out that no COTU affiliate union had filed a complaint alleging graft in the judiciary, namely the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC).
"Judges at the Employment and Labour Relations Courts have heard and determined many cases regarding labor, 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 vocal unionist declared that he would be requesting a meeting with the President to discuss the matter thoroughly and look for a solution.
In addition, Atwoli demanded that the massive graft at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) be investigated. He said that employees there openly accept bribes from travelers in exchange for letting them pass through with their uninspected baggage.
"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.
At the opening ceremony of the International Labour Standards (ILS) training for ELRC judges and registrars on Tuesday at the Lake Naivasha Resort, the COTU chief spoke.
