Warrant out for Atwoli's arrest

Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli. Photo/FILE

Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli. Photo/FILE
By JILLO KADIDA (jkadida@ke.nationmedia.com)Posted Monday, March 7 2011 at 12:03

A Nairobi court has issued a warrant of arrest against Kenya's top trade unionist after he failed to appear at a case.

Mr Francis Atwoli, the secretary general of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) - the umbrella body representing workers' interests, did not show up at a contempt of court case on Monday.

In the case, he is accused of inciting workers in Kericho to strike despite a court order stopping it.

Justice Jeanne Gacheche order the police to arrest the trade union boss and present him in court.

However, Mr Atwoli did not show up as he is said to be in Geneva attending a meeting by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The explanation of Mr Atwoli's whereabouts was given in court by his lawyer T. J. Kajwang'.

According to Mr Kajwang', his client informed him of the meeting on February 28 and will only be back after March 25 when the meeting will be over. But this explanation did not satisfy Justice Gacheche.

Emergency

The judge asked the lawyer whether the ILO meeting in Geneva is an emergency. Convinced that the meeting was not an emergency, she directed the police to arrest Mr Atwoli and present him to her when the case will come up for hearing on March 28.

Mr Atwoli together with five officials of Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers’ Union were taken to court by Kenya Tea Growers Association.

They were sued for allegedly failing to obey a court order issued on October 14, 2010 stopping the tea workers in Kericho from participating in a strike.

However, despite this order Mr Atwoli is alleged to have held a meeting on October 18, 2010 at Sotik highlands, Kapchorua, Tinderet and Kericho Green Stadium urging the workers not to go back to work.

This, the association says, is blatant disregard of court order. And to preserve the integrity of the court it is imperative that it be given the permission to start contempt case against the union officials.

On his part Mr Atwoli says he never incited any worker to destroy company machines.

He says the strike by union employees was constitutional and protected. Reason? The union issued seven days’ notice of strike in accordance with provisions of law.