Below is a quote from Dr. Francis Atwoli response to Fazul, after the latter demanded that security guards should not remit their contributions to the Central Organizations of Trade Unions (COTU).
The Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU (K) takes note of the frivolous letter by the disillusioned Private Security Regulatory Authority CEO, Fazul Mahamed, which purported to call for immediate cession deduction and remittance of Union dues, from Private Security Workers, to COTU (K).
The letter from Fazul Mahamed does not come as a surprise to COTU (K) taking in mind that in 2016 the EACC declared Fazul a fraud and a sham who is unqualified to hold a public office claiming he had a fake degree.
The public should be aware that, in 2016, the Office of the Ombudsman released a report titled ‘Death of Integrity’ whereupon, in this report, Dr. Otiende Amollo, who was the Chairperson of the Commission on Administrative Justice, revealed that Fazul had been hired using a fake certificate. The certificate was purportedly obtained from Egerton University, despite Fazul having been discontinued from the university due to poor academic performance.
At this point, COTU (K) urges the ODPP to expedite the prosecution of Fazul due to his alleged criminal activities, which led to his appointment as CEO of the NGO Board. If the ODPP fails to prosecute Fazul promptly, despite the evidence of his criminal activities, COTU (K) will engage a private prosecutor to protect Kenyan workers from this individual.
Further, Fazul, akin to a raging mad bull, has resorted to destabilizing and interfering with not only the operations of Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU), but also the tripartite partners, namely, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MoLSP), Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE), and COTU (K).
In a manner to profess his megalomaniac character, Fazul has christened himself as the Employer, Regulator, and Union, at the same time. Without a doubt, the path Fazul has taken can only come to a tragic end following his Hyena-like Dilemma.
It must be remembered that COTU (K) is a free and Independent Trade Union that is neither regulated by PSRA nor any other Government Agency. As such the demands contained in the letter by PSRA can only be made by the union members and/or the respective union.
Further, the union dues COTU (K) receives from Private Security Workers, through their Union’s Affiliation to COTU (K), is as a consequence of a Gazette Notice by the Ministry of Labour, dated 2nd September 2016, considering the labour laws and the requirements of the constitution of COTU (K). It must also be remembered that COTU (K) Secretary General, Dr. Francis Atwoli, has been the leading champion of the rights and welfare of Private Security Workers in Kenya which has seen the KNPSWU not only formed but also represented in the COTU (K) Executive Board. Indeed, Bro. Isaac GM Andabwa, who is the General Secretary of the KNPSWU not only sits in the Executive Board of COTU (K) but has received a lot of support from the leadership of COTU (K) in organizing workers in that sector.
A quick google search would reveal that, overtime, the Fazul-led body, PSRA, has been the greatest impediment to the enhancement of the rights and welfare of private security guards as COTU (K) has received numerous complaints on the same through our affiliate union, KNPSWU. PSRA has, for long, stood against the many reforms proposed by COTU (K) towards enhanced welfare of the Private Security Workers.
However, considering the lack of purpose and direction by Fazul, at the helm of PSRA, it might be prudent for him to resign so that the body finds a competent person who understands the role(s) of a regulator.
Finally, in calling for the resignation, arrest and prosecution of Fazul Mahamed, we equally understand that Fazul’s term at the helm of PSRA is coming to an end and thus the increasing appetite for juvenile antics to gain prominence for another appointment.
https://twitter.com/AtwoliDza/status/1780219059193205183
COTU(K) should move with the same lightening speed in addressing the issues around the ongoing doctors’ strike in Kenya or are they only interested on issues touching on their own welfare? We are yet to see how they will support doctors to enjoy their right to proper remuneration and end the suffering of patients around the country.
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