COTU Boss Atwoli Warns Employers Over Salary Delays, Threatens Labour Day Snub in Vihiga

COTU Boss Atwoli Warns Employers Over Salary Delays, Threatens Labour Day Snub in Vihiga

Pressure is mounting on employers across Kenya after the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) issued a strong warning over delayed salary reviews, signalling a potential standoff ahead of this year’s Labour Day celebrations.

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, speaking during a shop stewards’ meeting in Nairobi on Saturday, April 18, accused employers of deliberately frustrating workers by failing to implement agreed salary increments under Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). His remarks come amid rising economic pressure on employees grappling with the high cost of living.

“We do not want employers to attend our meetings or Labour Day celebrations without invitation because they do not care about our interests and often delay implementing agreements,” Atwoli said, in a statement that underscored growing tensions between unions and private-sector employers.

The outspoken union leader specifically criticised the Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE) and other industry players, accusing them of sidelining unions in key decision-making processes while failing to honour signed agreements. According to Atwoli, some employers have adopted a pattern of dragging negotiations for extended periods, only implementing salary adjustments under pressure and often with accumulated arrears.

“Such delays continue to disadvantage workers who are already struggling with inflation and rising living costs,” he added, noting that the situation has worsened in recent months as economic challenges deepen.

As part of the warning, COTU indicated that employers who fail to comply with labour agreements risk being excluded from the 2026 Labour Day celebrations set to take place in Vihiga County on May 1. The annual event, traditionally attended by top government officials and employers, is expected to be presided over by President William Ruto.

The move signals a shift towards a more confrontational stance by labour unions, which are increasingly pushing for enforcement of workers’ rights amid growing dissatisfaction within the workforce.

Atwoli also raised concerns about alleged tax evasion practices by certain companies, claiming that some firms are using shell entities to under-declare income and avoid meeting their tax obligations.

“They even try to shortchange the government by trading using shell companies so that they can fail to pay taxes. That is very unacceptable,” he stated, calling for stricter enforcement measures against non-compliant firms.

The warning comes at a time when broader labour tensions are building across both public and private sectors. Recently, civil servants from 19 independent commissions, represented by the Kenya Independent Commissions Workers Union (KICOWU), issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), demanding salary increases of between 20 and 50 per cent.

The union cited prolonged delays in salary reviews and the rising cost of living as key drivers behind the demand, warning that failure to initiate negotiations could trigger industrial unrest across critical government institutions.

Labour experts note that the current standoff highlights deeper structural challenges in Kenya’s labour relations framework, particularly around enforcement of CBAs and wage-setting mechanisms. While agreements are often reached between unions and employers, implementation has remained inconsistent, leading to recurring disputes.

At the same time, economic pressures—including inflation, increased fuel prices, and higher taxation—have intensified calls for wage adjustments, placing employers under renewed scrutiny.

With Labour Day approaching, all eyes will be on whether employers heed COTU’s warning or risk a public fallout at one of the country’s most symbolic labour events. The outcome could shape the tone of labour relations in the months ahead, especially as unions signal a willingness to escalate action if their concerns remain unaddressed.

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COTU Boss Atwoli Warns Employers Over Salary Delays, Threatens Labour Day Snub in Vihiga