The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General, Francis Atwoli, encouraged workers on Monday to ignore the opposition's planned anti-government protests and report to work on Tuesday.

In his Labor Day speech at Nairobi's Uhuru Gardens, Atwoli stated that Kenyans have nothing to gain by taking to the streets. He added that the trade union would not defend any employee fired for skipping work because they protested.

PHOTO | COURTESY Atwoli

Atwoli said that The opposition leaders have said tomorrow is protest day, but workers should not participate. Adding that salaried people who cannot miss work will be fired, and things can get worse. Adding that they cannot defend anyone on the basis that they were demonstrating

he said there is nothing they can gain because Employers and workers have to support the president to spur economic growth.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga insisted on Sunday that the scheduled demonstrations in Nairobi would go ahead despite the police's reluctance to allow them.

The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition leader said the opposition is peaceful and unarmed, exercising its constitutional right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and bring petitions to public authorities.

PHOTO | COURTESY Atwoli

As a result, he vowed that they would deliver petitions to four government offices on Tuesday to compel President William Ruto's administration to listen to their demands.

The former prime minister has announced that they will sue the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to check their assertion that the election results were tampered with.

PHOTO | COURTESY Raila

He further stated that they would petition the IEBC over the termination of the four commissioners because it sets a dangerous precedent in which all commissioners in future elections will be expected to agree with the IEBC chairperson, effectively making the election a one-person show.

According to Odinga, they will also go to the National Treasury to request the quick release of all cash owed to counties and timely payment of all civil officials' salaries.