PUSETU barred from interfering with Labour day fete

By Isaiah Lucheli

Nairobi, Kenya: Rivalry between two giant trade unions has intensified after the Central Organization of Trade Union (Cotu) was granted orders restraining rival union from interfering with Labour day fete.

The Industrial court Tuesday granted Cotu orders barring the Federation of Public Service Union of Kenya (PUSETU) from interfering with the celebrations slated for Thursday.

The union through its secretary General Francis Atwoli submitted that it had already spent over Sh15 million in the preparation of the celebrations and added that the preparations had been finalised and asked the court restrain the rival union.

In signed court documents, Atwoli said the union had been involved in the organization of the labour day celebrations since its inception in 1965 and told the court that PUSET had since its launch on April 8 started issuing threats of taking over the occasion.

Industrial court judge Monicah Mbaru certified the matter as urgent and granted Cotu the orders they had sought restraining PUSETU from causing any breach of peace during the celebration under whatever pretext. Suit to be heard May 7.