The umbrella union for workers in Kenya, The Central Organisation of Trade Unions is in crisis, with the secretary general daring his deputy to do his worse.
Amid allegations and counter allegations of conspiracy to depose and of the other being a mole for the government, the COTU executive board has removed Deputy Secretary General George Muchai from office and appointed Benson Okwiri Okumu as acting deputy.
The changes were sequel to media reports a day earlier which quoted Muchai, who is also Member of Parliament for Kabete constituency, as accusing his boss, Secretary-general Francis Atwoli, of involvement in irregularities.
Except Muchai himself who boycotted the meeting though invited, the other 26 members of the board voted unanimously to sack the deputy general secretary.
Atwoli said afterwards that the board suspended his deputy after he acted contrary to COTU constitution and chose serve partisan political interests, adding: “The Executive Board voted to suspend with immediate effect from office Hon George Mukuru Muchai for breach of COTU constitution by acting contrary to requirement of his office.
Muchai, who a day before the vote revealed a plot to oust him as Atwoli’s deputy, is allegedly accused of working as a mole for Labour cabinet secretary Kambi Kazungu.
Atwoli also accused Muchai of allegedly “giving false information to CID officers including falsification of documents aimed at incriminating Atwoli and other COTU officials.
The Board also accused Muchai of usurping and undermining the office of COTU secretary general.
In an attempt to redeem his image, Atwoli dared Muchai to forward any evidence he claims to possess against him to the authorities.
“If he (Muchai) has any credible evidence he is free to report to any police station, Ethics and anti-corruption officers for investigation. I want to tell him it’s dangerous to betray colleagues you were elected with,” he said, hinting that while deputy secretary-general Muchai was in-charge of human resources and responsible for hiring COTU staff.
The Board also voted Ernest Nakenya Nadome for the position of Assistant secretary general in an acting capacity and Nelson Kiromo Mwaniki as 3rd trustee of COTU.
According to the COTU Secretary General, Muchai was invited for the Executive Board meeting but chose to snub the meeting which discussed his conduct and voted to remove him from office.