The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K) has defended its elections held on March 14, 2026, at the Tom Mboya Labour College, asserting that the process met constitutional thresholds and saw “overwhelming participation” from affiliated unions.
In a statement dated March 18, 2026, Secretary General Francis Atwoli dismissed a petition filed at the Employment and Labour Relations Court by Fazul Mohamed challenging the elections. COTU said Mohamed is not a member of any affiliate union, not a union official, and did not participate in the electoral process.
COTU reported that the elections recorded a 92% quorum of eligible delegates, surpassing the 51% threshold required under its constitution. Over 90% of paid-up affiliates had conducted branch and national elections, enabling their delegates to participate in the polls.
Addressing concerns regarding specific unions, COTU noted that KNUT and KUPPET were not paid-up affiliates and could not vote, although they attended as observers. KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu addressed the delegates. Meanwhile, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) participated with three delegates, under the leadership of Secretary General Dr Davji Atella, as permitted by the constitution.
COTU further linked the petitioner to a prior complaint filed with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged irregular payments and use of a “fake degree” to secure jobs at the NGO Board and the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA). COTU claimed Mohamed was positioning himself for elective politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atwoli stated that the matter is currently before court and added that COTU would not provide further public comment while judicial proceedings are ongoing.
