Category Archives: Jeff Otieno

Kenya: Cotu wars

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By JEFF OTIENO.

MY DEPUTY A BETRAYER SAYS COTU BOSS.

Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli has dismissed his immediate former Deputy George Muchai as a worst betrayer he has ever met in the trade union circles.

He also took on the registrar of trade unions Elizabeth Gicheha for turning down the executive board resolve to suspend the besieged deputy.

“Gichehas move is a clear confirmation of our initial fears that he has been a spy and a project of outsiders out to divide cotu”,Atwoli said.

Any serious government should embrace trade union movement for faster economic growth Atwoli said.

He praised President Uhuru Kenyattas Government for good working ties with trade unions but castigated a few clique of his cronies for sabotaging his efforts by condoning corruption and creating confusion in the unions to make a kill.

Atwoli was speaking in Tom Mboya Labour College Kisumu during a workshop dubbed Trade Union unity and principles of freedom of association in Eastern Africa -Sub regional in collaboration with I T U C and O A T U U. It was a follow up meeting after a major one which was held in Nairobi early in the year.Vice President of O A T U U Alex Bony from Ghana ,Wellington Chibebwe from Zimbabwe and Kweshi Amakwah were in attendance.

Muchai was replaced by Ben Okwaro and another second board meeting is slated on monday 27th to further ratify the same.

The registrar had argued that muchai wasnt served or given time by the board to defend himself as required which is repugnant to justice,

the board has however maintained he was served.A powerful clique within Jubilee is said to be behind Muchai and it will be interesting to see who will blink first between the once best friends turn foes.During the last polls The entire Cotu brigade rallied behind Muchai and ensured he captured Kabete parliamentary seat.

He was suspended by 28 out of 29 board members and one wonders why he couldnt use his financial muscle to divide the board deep in the middle.

His sudden wealth and mean ness seems to have played a part in his ouster and isolation.

Three executive board members confided to this writer that the now rags to riches unionists is building multi million apartments and a state of the art mall around Jkia Airport a move which seems to have made them to be jittery and suspicious with him.

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Kenya: Atwoli reacts

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By JEFF OTIENO.

Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli Has dismissed claims by some section of Coast politicians that their people in plum government positions are being targeted. Claims which appeared in a section of the press was emphatic that plans had been hatched and finalised to ensure that their people be sacked from the government.

“If you’re corrupt and incompetent as an officer in the establishment don’t hide in your tribal cocoons as away of salvaging your diminishing image or fate”,

The coast leaders were trying to defend the besieged Cabinet Secretary for Labour Kazungu Kambi who has been taken to court by a civil society crusader Charles Omanga on grounds of alleged incompetence and dubious academic credentials.

The case is slated for hearing on 11th Feb. in the High Court Nairobi.

Kambi is of late marooned with accusations that together with NSSF CEO and the board they failed to follow procurement procedures to award a Chinese firm multi Billion project. Atwoli together with FKE Chair person Jackline Mugo have maintained that procurement provisions were violated to favour the Chinese outfit culminating to cancellation of the tender.

“As Cotu we will always remain steadfast to ensure that Kenyan workers interests is catered for and we won’t condone these heartless cartels whose only agenda is to milk our workers dry”, Atwoli said.

ENDS

Kenya: Atwoli appeals for peaceful polls

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BY JEFF OTIENO.

Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli has appealed to all Presidential aspirants to embrace duologue and tolerance as the General Elections approaches the corner.

He applauded the prevailing gestures of negotiations or alliances bid by leaders across the political divide but further urged that it should be all inclusive.

“In order for the country to remain peaceful and united we should engage each other positively and not appear to be side lining other leaders or else we risk going back to the previous 2007 election scenario”, he said.

Atwoli was speaking to the press when he went to register as a voter in his rural home at Ebukwala pri School Kwishero constituency. He urged voters to register in large numbers a head of march 4th elections.

Atwoli further lauded President Mwai Kibaki statesmanship and development track record during his tenure and urged his would be successor to follow suit.

On the recent formation of a rival trade union-Pesatu to clip the wings of Cotu Atwoli said that the scheme which was hatched by two corrupt government ministers he declined to mention is doomed to fail. He said that some two union officials names with held were the ministers side kicks and one of them was recently bought a house worth staggering millions in the leafy suburbs of Nairobi in obvious circumstances.

ENDS

Kenya: Claims Against ODM Ksm malicious

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BY JEFF OTIENO.

Recent press reports claiming that Kisumu Central Parliamentary hopeful Ken Obura is allied to Uhuru Kenyattas TNA are malicious, hollow, cowardly, parochial and should be condemned in the strongest terms possible without reservations.

The maliciously propelled story alleged that Ken Obura is a TNA ally and urged Kisumu residents to stongly campaign for Uhuru and come out in their large numbers to vote for him come march polls .

For starters Ken hails from Kano Kabonyo in Kisumu East District in Kisumu County. His Father the late Obura Mirenga was once a no nonsense elected Councillor in Kisumu Municipality in the early eighties. After his graduation from Nairobi University Ken plunged to Business with some of the powerful political clique in the ODM circles.

Its from here that Ken started to develop interests in politics and has been a blue eye boy of even the Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Aged 31, he has been vigorously and relentlessly pounding the terrain of the newly created constituency and even some of his opponents are now contemplating with drawing from the race but others have opted for cheap slander campaigns as away of scuttling him.

He’s slated to battle it out with former Kisumu Town West Mp Rev Ken Nyagudi, Businessman Shem Onyango Kwega, Obdul Dubai and top Accountant Bob Madanji all angling for ODM ticket in the primaries scheduled for January next year.

ENDS

KENYA: FURY AS KISUMU COUNTY GOVERNOR IS FORCED TO WITHDRAW FROM THE RACE

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BY JEFF OTIENO

Hardly three weeks after declaring his candidature and launching his bid for Kisumu County Governor race, top medic Dr. Hezron Mackobewa has been prevailed upon to withdraw his bid.

Confirming the same to the press when contacted, Dr. Mackobewa said he had been approached by top echelons of the ODM party and he had no choice but to succumb to their request that he withdraws.

He could not however divulge on what grounds he had been told to withdraw. Observers are however quick to point out that Dr. Mackombewa’s situation is just the first one of a series to come across the region adding that he was considered to be one of the top contenders who could have been a stumbling block to the powers that be preferred “candidate”. The medic hails from Kano Kowuor Kamagaga and is a resilient hotelier with chains of the same outfits webbing across the region.

He is aged 41 years, wealthy to contend with and was recently controversially appointed as Chairman Council of NGOs by Cabinet Minister William Ole Ntimama. Sources further confided to this writer that a clique of ODM MPs and mandarins were the ones unleashed on Dr. Makobewa last weekend and the medic promptly obliged by dismantling his campaign secretariat though with fury from his supporters and members of his native Kano clan.

Makobewa was slated to battle it out with another leading contender Peter Hongo who is still an employee of Mumias Sugar but has confirmed to launch by the beginning of October.

Polished, wealthy and soft spoken Hongo is aged 42 and is a native of Kogony clan. He has been criss-crossing the terrain building schools and sponsoring bright but poor students for now over 5 years. He’s also one of the brains behind the success of leading Miller Mumias Sugar.
Nairobi based lawyer cum business Mogul Atieno Otieno has also hit the ground meeting opinion shapers and youth groups.

She’s a native of Kisumu West (OSIRI) but married in Nyando (KANO).
Ruth Odinga Sister to Prime Minister and C.E.O Molasses plant has also not relented despite allegations that she is the one being fronted by ODM top hierarchy, allegations she has been vehemently denying in various forums.

London based Simon Ogendo who is an Insurance Expert is also in the frame. He’s the son of former Mayor Ogendo Ponge of Kano Kolwa. Ogendo is to launch his bid in next month early October but he is currently on campaign related mission in Europe.

Veteran Politician Ojwang Kombudo aged 78 has also made a plung. Kombudo is a shrewd businessman and former Kisumu Municipal Town Clerk from Nyakach Constituency.

Another aspirant shuttling the murky waters is Deputy Clerk of National Assembly Owino Omollo and the list continues.

END

KENYA: TOP MEDIC JOINS KISUMU COUNTY GOVERNOR RACE

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BY JEFF OTIENO

London trained Medical Doctor cum Hotelier Dr. Hezron Mackobewa has joined the race for Kisumu County Governor.

The medic made the declaration early this week in a Kisumu Hotel in a colourful ceremony which was attended by his native Kano Clan Elders and Kisumu County Key Stakeholders.

Dr. Mackobewa aged 40 years told the attentive gathering, that his quest has been precipitated by the County Wealth potential which has not been tapped well for decades and he has ideas to ensure that status quo is changed if given the chance by the Electorate.

He hails from Ombeyi in Kano and has got chains of hotels webbing across the region. The medic is also the Director of OGRA FOUNDATION which is being credited for offering education and medical support to the destitute through their well laid outreach programmes since early 2000.

The wealthy and soft spoken medic cum hotelier will rely on his grassroot network to propel his bid. He will however contend to battle it out with a group of equally vibrant, well educated and monied aspirants among them Mumias Sugar employee incharge of Business Development and Water Peter Hongo.

He hails from Kogony Clan (native) and has been criss crossing the terrain for a couple of years doing harambees for schools, churches and sponsoring bright but poor students a move which has really catapulted him to a force to reckon with. The youthful tycoon was one of the brains which made Mumias Sugar to be unrivalled in the sugar industry during the term of the immediate former C.E.O Dr. Evans Kidero.

London based Insurance Executive Simon Ogendo the son of former Kisumu Mayor Ogendo Ponge has also joined the fray. Ogendo who has been busy for now two months overseas since he declared told this journalist during a recent telephone interview that he has finalized his campaign strategy and will soon hit the road before the end of August.

Atieno Otieno who is a Nairobi based Lawyer cum business-woman has also been aggressively campaigning. She has been busy appealing to men to realize that time for discriminating against gender is parochial and overtaken by events.

Another candidate is Ruth Odinga, the sister to Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Ruth has been on the ground trying to counter her critics that being Prime Minister’s Sister shouldn’t be a harbinger to her quest.

But in an area where clannism politics seem to be the hallmark of everything, it remains to be seen what change her bid will have on the litmus paper. She’s the Managing Director of Kisumu Molasses Plant, a company associated with the family.

Former Town Clerk and Cabinet Minister Ojwang Kombudo has also vowed that age is nothing but a number. Kombudo says he has what it takes in terms of experience and his tenure as a clerk of Kisumu Municipality and as a Minister is crystal clear and unrivalled. He come from Lower Nyakach and is nearing 80 years.

Crowing the list is former Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner Jack Ranguma who is a native of Kano-Kobura. He has been very active in the ground but he seems to have run out of steam due to the fact that he started abit early.

END

KENYA: WABUKALA CASTIGATES POLITICIANS OVER POLLS

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By Jeff Otieno

Anglican Arch Bishop Eliud Wabukalla has strongly castigated a clique of “selfish” politicians who are pushing that the next General Elections be held in August 2013 instead of March 2013.Speaking in Boya in Nyando District Kisumu County during working tour in the regions diocese, Wabukala said that Kenyans have already tuned their minds for the march 2013 polls and any attempt to reschedule it will be contested to the bitter end.

During a morning press briefing at the home of a Nairobi business man Erick Okeyo who is also a staunch member of Anglican church,wabukhala appealed for calm and humility ahead of the elections.

He further emphasised the need for restrain among the communities and said dialogue should be key whenever there is a stalemate or misunderstanding.
The routine pastoral work by the Arch Bishop will extend to four Diocess a move which has seen a sharp growth of the faithfuls in the region in the last few years since he took the mantle of leadership.He was accompanied by the Bishop of maseno South Diocess Mwai Abiero.

END.

KENYA: TEARFUL SEND OFF FOR MUMIAS SUGAR MANAGING DIRECTOR

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BY JEFF OTIENO

After a sterling and unrivalled performance spanning almost a decade in the Sugar Industry, Mumias Sugar Managing Director Dr. Evans Odhiambo Kidero has today decided to call it quits in a tearful but a colourful handing over ceremony in the factory precincts which was attended by workers, all departmental heads, farmers and other stakeholders.

The new Chief Executive Peter Kibati described Dr. Kideros tenure as spectacular worth emulating.”We will try our level best to follow your foot steps to continue making Mumias Sugar a force to reckon with in the region”, Kibati told the attentive gathering amid applause.

” Our strategic plan as envisaged must be fulfilled and i urge all of you to accord me the necessary support to achieve the said goals,’ he said a mid tears from a section of workers. Kibati described Kidero’s legacy as wonderful, brilliant intellectual who always consulted and collaborated whenever there was need.

Mr. Kibati initially was at Price Water House Coopers and Standard Chartered Bank Kisumu Branch and later joined the leading Miller as an Internal auditor and rose as Financial Director before taking the mantle from the immediate industrious C.E.O DR. Kidero 3 months ago. According to key industry players who talked to this journalist in the Company Precints, Kibati has got the potential to continue with the foot steps of Dr. Kidero, since he’s young ,equally focussed and energetic.

Former Chairman of Butere Mumias County Council, Councillor Michael Keya added that doubting Thomases will be proved wrong soon urging all the stakeholders to give maximum co-operation to the new C.E.O to achieve the set standards.

Dr. Kidero will be remembered for the general improvement of infrastructure in Mumias and its environs. He was a complete team player who knew all the departmental Managers by their names, hated bureaucracy or red tape and was a go getter.

He joined Mumias Sugar in October 2003, after other rare and magnificent performances at Nation Media Group and Smith Kline Beecham.

Accompanied by his wife Susan Mboya and a Nairobi Businessman Erick Okeyo, Kidero appealed to the workers to continue with the same spirit and added that he will always flex his muscles and be available when there’s a problem to be tackled.

His farewell party is however slated for mid October, 2012 due to logistical reasons.

END

KENYA: CREDENTIALS MAY LOCK OUT KISIA FOR NAIROBI RACE

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BY JEFF OTIENO

The battle for Nairobi Governor has taken an interesting and intriguing angle with fresh revelations that one of the contestants who is the immediate former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia may be barred from contesting.

One of the mandatory criteria for a Governor bid is being a Degree holder from a recognized university, but so far it hasn’t come out crystal clear from U.A.S.U. as per the records when he enrolled and graduated with Business Administration Degree.

Frantic efforts by the press is further unable to trace the former Town Clerk School mates during the said years it is claimed he schooled there. Some political pundits are however dismissing the Degree requirement as too much asking or a hefty demand thundering that individuals capability to lead should be the key. The Press however managed to trace his High School roots in Tiriki-Senende Secondary School where it’s said he was a very active student.

Kisia resigned recently as Nairobi Town Clerk and has been criss crossing the City estates to appeal for votes though it’s not clear yet which party he will carry its flagship due to his trademark antics of dinning and winning with almost all the Presidential hopefuls and even attending their functions.

His die-hards though argue that people should not misconstrue that move to mean political prostitution and lack of ethics, but should see it positively as an exhibition of political maturity and tolerance which is key for the Nation unity.

His critics however opine that his gesture is totally confusing, a clear indication of inconsistency and panicky. He will further shake off his ivory tower tag as claimed by his critics if he’s to triumph.

If he’s cleared, he will battle it out with the combative Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu who is a graduate from one of the Universities in India, a holder of Business Administration Degree. Former Mumias Sugar Managing Director Dr. Evans Odhiambo Kidero who is a Pharmacist from Nairobi University. Dr. Kidero also has MBA and did Law through a correspondent from one of the Prestigious Universities in West Midlands, United Kingdom.

He will rely on his sterling unrivalled performance lasting a decade in Mumias to propel his bid. Kidero also left a landmark in Ntaion media Group and Smith Klime Beecham. He’s such a mobiliser and go – getter thus giving him a head start in the quest. Others are Jimna Mbaru former Nairobi Stock Exchange Chairman who has been doing ground work quietly.

END

KENYA ANTI CORRUPTION NOW SUMMONS OFFICERS OVER PLOTS:

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By Jeff Otieno

Kenya Anti Corruption Kisumu Regional office has summoned four former and current senior Kisumu municipal council officers to report to their offices on 5/12/2011 to explain allegations that they dished out council plots under dubious circumstances.

In a letter availed to the press dated 29th November 2011 ref EACC/KSM/6/15/6/4 signed by Stanley Miriti and copied to the Kisumu Town clerk Chris Rosana and Provincial Local Government Officer (P.L.G.O), read in part “You are hereby summoned to appear in our regional office to explain allegations that you gave out public land without following the required disposal procedures”.

A debate has however emerged on the mode of operations by the officers at the Kisumu regional office who were literally led in one of the cafeteria in town by a renegade civic leader who has all along been opposed to the council idea to give out huge chunks of land lying fallow to be developed to curb the housing crisis which has hit the lakeside city courtesy of the newly built Kisumu International Airport among other upcoming economic ventures.

For starters the councilor in question arrived by two anti graft officers to arrest the chief officer not knowing that two of their colleagues were already there to serve the officer with summons first as demanded by procedures.

On realizing that the chief officer had not been served they literally started blaming the councilor for misleading them and they left in a huff boarding a vehicle of the councilor bearing a number plate of a neighbouring country.

In the wee hours of the night the said anti graft officers are ever embedded with this civic leader who seems to be the source of their half baked information which they use in intimidating unsuspecting government officers.

This hurry to arrest and settle personal scores was exhibited in the said restaurant when the officers came with a nicely printed summon but failed to realize that the name of their target wasn’t in comformity thus they became embarrassed and started erasing the name on the table like green horns in the trade which require cautious and thorough approach if you’re to attain you goal.

Tension is brewing in the Lakeside city particularly in the Town Hall following allegations that the newly posted Town Clerk Chris Rosana has ganged up with some notorious three councilors to frustrate the general progress of the city. “ Rosana is just a fault finder, Kisumu is bigger than this man no wonder he has spent his entire life in village councils,” quipped a lady councilor when told that the clerk wanted to reverse allotment of plots on allegations that certain provisions weren’t adhered to.

“ How come a whole Town Clerk can usurp the role of a planner by stooping too low to be the one signing approvals for buildings,” She continued.

Investigations by this journalist reveals that Rosana who is hardly found in the office last month issued a draconian decree that nobody including the allotees should step in the council plots until an audit whose time frame is only known to him which he constituted comes up with a final report.

The controversial plots which were given last year had even some street vendors and who is who in the political circles benefiting and they were all issued with allotment letters after the ballot and all the accruing rates paid to the council.

Those who could not pay the Kshs. 39,000/= decided to sell theirs to interested developers at a fee in the region of Kshs. 300,000/= to 400,000/=. Balloting fee was Kshs 7,500/=. Entire council employees also benefited during the day time ballot at the council main hall.

Mood at the council is said to be at it’s lowest ebb with workers said to be contemplating downing their tools if the newly posted clerk can’t change his management style which they describe as “too colonial and vendetta driven”

END

KENYA: SUGAR WARS INTENSIFIES:-

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By: JEFF OTIENO

A wide scheme has been hatched to thwart the operations of a local sugar miller according to some key sugar industry stake holders.

The operations of Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries may be dwarfed if plans by a certain miller to engage the services of people purporting to be advocating for justice and equality seeks and achieve legal recourse.

These were revealed by a group of councilors and farmers from the cane growing zones of Chemelil, Kibos and Muhoroni.

According to councilor Balala of Aldai ward, a local miller said not to be happy with the resilience and vibrant operations of Kibos last week approached him to engage the services of hirelings to go to court as farmers in a desperate bid to thwart the good work being done, by Kibos Sugar.

“As farmers we’ve had enough frustrations and therefore we can’t succumb to petty squabbles which have got no value to us”, Balala told the press.

Kibos has so far installed weigh bridges in Awasi and Chemase which has not gone down well with rival millers who argue its tantamount to encroachment or “a coup” .

Kibos Sugar has since denied the claims through the Managing Director Raju Chanan who said their pre-occupation as a miller is to engage positively with farmers to uplift them economically and not rhetorics.

The resilient miller recently topped their tonnage to Kshs.4,200 per tone while other rival millers are still pegged on the region of Kshs. 3,750 to 3,800 per tone to their chagrin.

Kibos further pays farmers on weekly basis after delivery and their weigh bridge installations across the zones is to curb spillage and cushion the farmer from hefty transport costs inflated by unscrupulous private transporters.

END

KENYA: RACE FOR NAIROBI GOVERNOR SEAT TURNS MURKY

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BY: JEFF OTIENO.

The titanic battle for Nairobi Governor seat has dramatically turned nasty following early this weeks revelation that a centre associated with one of the aspirants has been given a fourteen days notice to close down or risk being pulled down.

EK centre as it is popularly known is situated in posh and leafy Kileleshwa area of Nairobi and is a launching pad for Mumias Sugar C.E.O Dr. Evans Kidero operating all round the clock with a full secretariat in readiness for next year debacle.

The centre was early this week ordered to close down on grounds that they have not applied for a change of user to operate as it operates now by the Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia – who is also another hopeful for the seat.

Allies of Kidero are reading mischief in the whole thing arguing that it’s full of vendetta, parochial and is doomed to fail because they have been given a license by the same council legitimizing their operations.

A source privy to Kisias modus operandi confirmed to this writer that Kisia is blaming those in the EK centre for violating the council by laws yet some of them worked in the council as commissioners when it was disbanded by the former president Moi regime.

Though Kisia is yet to constitute a campaign structure keen observers will agree that as the town clerk of Nairobi he has of late been criss crossing the city suburbs under the pretext of launching or supervising council services, a move which has really catapulted his bid temporarily.

Some critics are however quick to argue that Kisia is more of an ivory tower kind of candidate who hardly mingles with the down trodden but prefer posh and secluded places dinning and wining with the high and the mighty doing round table campaign theories which have never worked world over.

Dr. Evans Kidero will rely on his humility, charisma and managerial skills which he exhibited in the Nation media group, Smith clime Beecham and now the leading miller Mumias sugar which is unrivalled and a show case to many.

With the new dispensation Nairobi is set to control billions of shillings and a manager of rare caliber is needed to shepherd its operations with vibrance.

Other contestants are a wealthy are a wealthy Nairobi business man Jimna Mbaru and former MP Dick Wathika. The duo are also said to be doing their strategies well and have hired both local and foreign consultants before they hit the road.

Dr Kidero and Kisia will battle it out under the O.D.M flagship according to sources privy to their strategies even though they have not disclosed, while Mbaru and Wathika will rely on another vessel to propel them

END

Int’l Labor: 100th Session ILO MEETING OFFICIALLY ENDS IN GENEVA

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BY JEFF OTIENO IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND.

The 100th session of the International Labour Organization (ILO) meeting has officially ended in Geneva, Switzerland.

During the three week long intense session world leaders among them Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Markel, President of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete, President of Finland and her Switzerland counterpart graced the occasion in the United Nations General Assembly Hall.

A powerful Kenyan delegation under the tutelage of the COTU (K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, Labour Minister John Munyes, Labour P.S Beatrice Kituyi and Federation of Kenya employers Chair Person Jackline Mugo were also in the attendance and gave key note addresses touching on the plight of Kenyan workers and how their welfare can be improved in the near future.

Various adoptions like that of domestic workers were made and only ratification from affiliated member countries is what remains.

The fiery COTU Secretary General also retained his powerful position in the ILO governing body a slot only equivalent to the Kenyan cabinet and whose mandate is to run the daily affairs of the ILO body.

Owing to that position, Atwoli will now be obliged to attend the ILO head quarters thrice in a year for crucial deliberations.

Meanwhile the General Secretary for the aviation who was also in attendance took issue with some private Kenyan companies for muzzling and victimizing shop stewards.

Nicholas Baraza mentioned Flower wing and Transami as the culprits in his brief address at the ILO Assembly Hall.

END

SWITZERLAND; Int’l Labor: ATWOLI HAILS ILO DIRECTOR GENERAL REPORT-

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BY JEFF OTIENO, GENEVA,SWITZERLAND.

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has applauded and described International Labour Organization (ILO) Director General report titled “a new era of social justice” as a wakeup call and a reminder to member states and constituents that we are not out of woods of the effects brought upon us by the inefficient growth model underpinned by the Washington (United States) consensus which has been pursued for over last three decades.

“COTU agrees with the reports thesis that, sustained and concerted actions witnessed in the last two years, from the governments, workers, employers and regional as well as multilateral institutions is still needed in order to fully surmount the effects of the crisis”, Atwoli told the 189 member states representative and workers delegates in United Nations General Assembly Hall, Geneva.

“ We therefore welcomes the reports call for the fundamental changes involving the building of foundations of a new growth model encompassing the ILO values of equity, inclusiveness, fairness and social justice in short shared growth which places people’s needs and aspirations at the centre of its strategy”, Atwoli told the gathering.

He added that we must remain committed and sustain measures agreed at G20 and at the global jobs impact in order to fully overcome the crisis.

“The recruitment of qualified and registered teachers as interns as well as the recruitment of nurses on non-standard contracts by the Government has been cited by many employers as reason enough to employ or even retain employees as casuals, since the Government is doing the same, we wish to ask for policy to cease with immediate effect as it is not in the tandem“, he said.

“COTU has been on record as opposing the mechanization of the enterprises so long as the goal isn`t value addition but reduction of labour force with a view of maximizing profits for capital”, he emphasized.

The Scenario prevails in the Kenya and we therefore appeal that it be curtailed the fiery COTU boss thundered to the delegates.

He further took issue with the Kenyan government for arresting and terminating employment of 30 shop stewards who participated in the workers strike against the mechanization of the Tea plucking machines in the Tea plantations in Kenya in October last year.

Atwoli is in the Geneva for a three week 100th Session of ILO conference and he was joined early this week by the Labour Minister John Munyes and the Labour Permanent Secretary Beatrice Kituyi.

Also in the Kenyan delegation are Secretary General of Electrical Workers Union Ernest Nadome, Secretary General of Sugar Workers Union Francis Wangara, Textile Workers Union Joel Chebii and Communications Workers Union Deputy Secretary General Ismael Noo.

The event was officially opened by President of Finland.

END

Int’l Labor: ATWOLI RETAINS ILO SEAT-

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BY JEFF OTIENO IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has once again retained his position as a committee member of International Labour Organization (ILO) governing council.

The Committee which is equivalent of a Kenyan Cabinet is tasked with the management of ILO affairs and has got around 21 members across the globe 8 from Africa.

Atwoli will now be serving for second term after ascending at the helm three years ago. The powerful panel convenes thrice a year in Geneva, home of ILO head quarters. It was second election in a series of a lucrative post for the fiery COTU boss after being elected as an executive of a technical committee member representing Africa.

It was all exuberance for Atwoli and a group of Kenyan Delegation led by Federal of Kenya Employers Executive Director Jacqueline Mugo, NSSF Chief Executive Alex Kazongo, Secretary General of Labour Administration and Inspection Nicholas Baraza(Aviation), Secretary of Electrical Workers Union Ernest Nadome and Secretary General of Sugar Plantation Workers Union Francis Wangara.

The delegation is in Geneva, Switzerland for three weeks for 100th Session of International Labour Conference which was opened last week by the President of Finland.

In his acceptance speech to the audience and Secretariat, Atwoli vowed relentlessly to crusade for social justice for Kenyan workers and urged for Government Cooperation.

“As a Union we won’t renege on our quest until the envisage objectives are achieved”, he told the attentive gathering in the United Nations Assembly hall amid thunderous applause.

END

Int’l Labor: ATWOLI CLINTCHES ILO POST –

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BY JEFF OTIENO IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND.

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has been elected as one of the African representatives in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) technical committee. Under the Umbrella African Bureau of workers Group Atwoli and another nominee from Sudan Ibrahim Gandu will form part of the powerful 14 member technical committee across the globe and their mandate is to tackle any crucial political and technical issues bedevilling workers body (ILO).

ILO Secretariat also applauded Francis Atwoli following his re-election to serve for the third term in a peaceful and colourful event held in Tom Mboya Labour College last month.

Atwoli together with Ernest Nadome of the electrical workers union and other is Unionists are in Geneva for 100th Session of International Labour Conference starting on 1-17th June 2011.

—END—

KENYA: SUGAR MEETING TURNS ROWDY

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BY JEFF OTIENO

Kericho District Commissioner Samwel Njora was heckled and almost confronted by a group of enraged farmers of SOIN Zone when he tried to impress upon them to take canes to Government owned millers- Chemelil and Muhoroni factories.

The DC who had convened the meeting to bring harmony, following a recent standoff pitting security agents and farmers who were ferrying their canes to other favourite millers instead of the government preferred (Chemelil and Muhoroni) got a rude shock of his life.

It took a quick intervention of former cabinet minister Kipngeno Arap Ngeny and local councilors to cool the flaring tempers before the meeting could proceed.

After two hour standoff the meeting kicked off with speaker after speaker castigating the apparently confused and indecisive D.C for being arrogant and partisan in resolving the ragging Zonal dispute bedeviling the rival millers Kibos, moribund Muhoroni and Chemelil

The two millers have castigated Kibos Sugar and Allied Workers Company Ltd for encroaching in their zones.

Kibos pays a whopping Kshs.3,500 per tonne weekly, Muhoroni pays Kshs. 3,150 while Chemelil pay Kshs. 3,100 per tonne. And again to angle themselves well to farmers, Kibos has installed another waybridge to salvage the farmers neck from the rigours of transport and to also avert spillage in Awasi Township.

Resilient Kibos has further installed a waybridge in Kibigori Nandi County which is nearing completion and will start operating in early July.

“ Bwana DC this is a liberalized market and there’s a new world order how dare are you to coerse us to take our canes to your favourite outfits” Councilor Balala from Chemase thundered a mid applause from the agitated crowd.

Kenya Sugar Board Directors Nicholas Oricho and David Kodongo whose areas are marooned by the zonal feuds and were also present took issue with the D.C. for being partisan in solving the prevailing wrangles.

Mr. Njora who could be seen sweating and unsettled during the three hours volatile period ultimately apologized to the crowd and said he was misled by his feelers who dint mention.

END

KENYA: ATWOLI SET TO TRIUMPH ONCE AGAIN

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By JEFF OTIENO

Flamboyant Central organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli is headed for historic victory once again in the forth coming elections slated for 21st May 2011.

The combative and non nonsense secretary General will be going for his third term after he took the mantle for the first time in 2001. During last polls in 2006 the pragmatic Atwoli known for his valour and mobilization antics triumphed in his second term unopposed in what many of his admirers attributed to his sterling and unrivalled track record compared to some of his predecessors.

Speaking to the press on telephone Atwoli said his is politics without rhetoric and chest thumping but to strive to salvage the down trodden Kenyan worker who is shackled in bondage of poverty and York of oppression from the brutal establishment.

His die hard and admirer who is also a trade unionist Ismael Noo also showered Atwoli with accolades saying that the revival of Tom Mboya Labour which was almost becoming moribund as a case in point.

The team has currently embarked on building a multimillion (450m) resource centre and is nearing completion.

According to Ismael Noo who is the chairman of the board and an affiliate of communication workers union the new outfit has got a conference facility capable of accommodating 1,000 people and over 100 rooms including 6 presidential suites.

Over 150 delegates drawn from bodies affiliated to COTU are expected to attend and participate in the polls to be held in Tom Mboya Labour College.

Over 58 international dignitaries have been invited to attend the function. Among them President and General Secretary of all Chinese Federation of workers, Chief guest Director General I.L.O, presidents of workers from U.S.A, Germany, Nigeria and Local dignitaries.

“All the arrangements for the occasion have been finalized”, said Atwoli.

Although his admirers argue he’s a humble, caring and generous man nowander he’s at the helm, but some of his critics say he’s living a luxurious life spinning state of the art vehicles yet Kenyan workers are suffering.

In defense Atwoli said,” How can you negotiate on behalf of the oppressed yet as an advocate you’re also hungry and marooned in tatters.” He continued, “No regime can listen to a desperate frail looking man world over,” he concluded during an interview.

Some of his rivals both in the government and private sector have tried in futility to back journalist Erick Orina for the seat to topple him but their move flopped when the scribe who is a green horn in Union politics ran out of steam and has embarked on blame games against his backers that they dint do enough to propel him to glory.

Atwoli will leave a legacy for having also agitated relentlessly for Kenyans during the quest for a new constitution. “ Even during implementation of the constitution Atwoli should be included based on his records,” Noo said.

END

KENYA: RACE FOR TITANS IN NAIROBI GOVERNOR SEAT

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BY JEFF OTIENO.

Many political pundits argue that Nairobi governor race will be one of the most grueling political duels to remember come 2012.

So far three candidates have declared their interests for the seat and among them are industrious and pragmatic Mumias Sugar Chief Executive Dr. Evans Odhiambo Kidero, Nairobi business tycoon Jimna Mbaru and city Town Clerk Phillip Kisia and the list may still expand before the next poll.

Of the three, Evans Kidero and Jimna appears to be locked up in a tight race owing to their financial muscles, well structured campaign machinery and sound academic credentials.

Jimna Mbaru is a Nairobi University graduate with a commerce degree and a lecturer.

He’s associated with a galaxy of businesses both locally and internationally with a sound management to match.

In the political circles, he’s also a brain to rely upon when there’s a crisis. Mbaru hails from Nyeri president Mwai Kibaki home turf.

Dr. Evans Kidero is a Nairobi University Graduate with a degree in clinical pharmacy. He’s also a proud holder of MBA from one of the prestigious universities in London.

In the business circles, he’s a force to reckon with webbing his wings strongly in real estates and entrenching massively in key financial institutions. As Mumias Sugar CEO, he has put unrivalled bench marks worthy of a manager. He is also credited for revamping the dwindling football standards in the country after being prevailed upon by the government to be the chairman of the management board.

His admirers and associates have launched a vibrant campaign panel (EK CENTRE) situated at up market Kileleshwa Nairobi. The team comprises influential individuals drawn from the private sector, former Mps and Ministers and a clique of clergy from various denominations to propel him to glory. Every fortnight the panel sits to review and strategize and allowances religiously dished, as a token of appreciation to keep the oil burning.

Kidero will also rely on his father in laws legacy the late Thomas Joseph Mboya whose vibrant days in the early 60’s still lingers.

Nairobi Town clerk Phillip Kisia who is considered by many to be the darkest lame duck in the race hails from Hamisi constituency. He attended Semende Pri. School and later Chesamis High School where he also did his A levels.

Kisia dint qualify to join the University but made timely move to join Utalii College where he did catering and later rose through the ranks, thanks to his never say die attitude to become head of sales at SAROVA Group of Hotels.

He’s a go getter and very polished man but education background may be an harbinger according to some observers. At best he is good as a running mate and that must be his game plan opines his critics.

“Nairobi as a county is set to control trillions as it’s annual budget and therefore it requires a reputable manager to manage the massive funds argues Tom Alila who is a Nairobi businessman and Kanu Politician”.

END

KENYA: WRANGLES ROCK UHURU AND RUTO NYANZA TOUR

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BY JEFF OTIENO

The long awaited tour of Nyanza Province by the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Finance Minister, Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP, William Ruto has been hit by wrangles and could as well be called off.

During the recent luncheon in a Nairobi hotel which was hosted by Uhuru Kenyatta and a group of Luo professionals led by Freedom and Democracy Party Supremo Onyango Oloo, it was agreed that the tour be slated around Mid May.

But speaking to this writer on telephone, former Agriculture Minister William Ruto point man in Nyanza a Mr. Mbuta said the former Minister told him while in an overseas trip in Malaysia that he has not been informed of the event contrary to press reports.

“The former Minister is shocked to hear that and whoever is saying otherwise is mistaken,” Mbuta quipped.

Contacted for comment, Freedom and Democracy Party leader, Onyango Oloo thundered that plans to host the duo and over 120 MPs will go as planned irrespective of “attention seekers and paper tiger kind of antics.”

It has however emerged that before the historic tour of the region, a group of respected Luo elders and opinion shapers are scheduled to go to Gatundu Uhuru Kenyatta’s backyard to do a gigantic and intriguing task of reconciling Luos and Kikuyus before the next polls. “This bad blood and suspicion between us must be harmonized and I have done all the logistics to ensure the reconciliation agenda is achieved,” Oloo said in an interview.

Oloo added that all tangible economic benefits which has eluded the community for decades has been agreed upon between him and his allies emphasizing that his is politics with development devoid of rhetoric.

Keen political pundits led by Mumias Sugar Sales Executive, Peter Hongo who is also hopeful for Kisumu County Governor seat however told Oloo and his allies not to personalize their campaigns but instead popularize their party which is still a green horn.

“As a community we won’t allow divisive under tones to derail our quest a head of 2012,” Hongo said.

The main theme of the controversial tour is to preach peace and unity in the region and to fund raise for all women and youth groups. The two leaders will also hold a meeting with some stakeholders to identify key moribund economic outfits to be revived according to inside sources.

END