By Renson Mnyamwezi
Labour Day celebrations failed to kick of in Taita-Taveta County.
The Kenya Planters Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) blamed the local Labour department for the confusion.
Others blamed poor working relationship between the KPAWU and the Labour department.
"The Labour Department officials have not been supportive of the celebrations because they fear facing the wrath of the workers. This is the second year we’ve not held such a function in the area," claimed the Coast and Eastern KPAWU secretary general Richard Juma.
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Speaking to The Standard on the telephone from Kericho, where he was attending the celebrations, Mr Juma claimed labour officials had been colluding with unscrupulous employers to infringe on the workers fundamental rights.
"The department has been watching as dishonest employers continue violating the workers’ rights. No action has been taken against such corrupt employers," he said.
Sisal plantations
Taita Taveta County has one of the largest sisal plantations in East and Central Africa, with a total workforce estimated at 10,000.
The sisal estates include Voi, Mwatate and Taveta and Gicheha farm owned by the Kenyatta family. The agricultural farms are major employers, as they form the bulk of the workforce in the region.
Chanzu Khamadi, a local civic leader, said workers had no right forum to air their views.
"We are disappointed that the celebrations have not been held in the region. This is wrong and something should be done to rectify the situation in future," Mr Khamadi said in Taveta.
