The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has dismissed Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s remarks calling for the formation of a parrallel trade unon.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, COTU stated that Gachagua lacked an understanding of Kenya’s trade union history.
The workers’ umbrella body warned that the former DP’s continued attack on the labour movement and its leadership, including Secretary General Francis Atwoli, will not be taken kindly by Kenyan workers.
“The Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya), COTU (K), has taken note of the unfortunate, unwarranted, reckless, and publicity-seeking attacks directed at COTU (K), its Secretary General Francis Atwoli, and affiliated trade unions by the impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua,” the COTU-K statement read in part.
According to COTU, Gachagua has been on a spree of attacking and castigating individuals and institutions perceived to have any association with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
COTU further stated that the behaviour risks dividing the country, warning that it could inflame political tensions.
The labour body added that the remarks were linked to what it described as political frustrations following his recent impeachment as Deputy President.
“It is now increasingly evident that Mr Gachagua has embarked on a dangerous Samsonian mission where he seeks to destroy the fabric of the whole country simply because his political future looks bleak. His theatrical performances of abusing and castigating every individual and institution perceived to have any form of association with the government of the day will not be taken kindly by Kenyan workers,” the statement added.
The organisation objected to the attacks on the labour union by Gachagua, saying he does not know the history or purpose of the labour union.
It pointed out that the labour movement had a long history that goes back to the early 1900s, when some unions were formed long before Gachagua’s political career began and COTU (K) itself was formally established in 1937.
The COTU statement comes a day after Rigathi Gachagua accused the organization of abandoning its core mandate of representing workers and instead aligning itself more closely with the government.
Speaking on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, during the National Reflections forum held after Labour Day and the launch of the Labour Market and Worker Welfare Report 2026 at Radisson Blu, Nairobi, Gachagua said that millions of workers remain unheard, even as they make significant daily contributions to the national economy.
“More than 20 million Kenyans wake up every morning and go to work. These great and patriotic Kenyans have remained unheard for far too long,” Gachagua said
“We have a labour union led by a professional broker who dines with every government in power for his selfish interests,” Gachagua added while attacking Atwoli.
