Federation of Kenyan Employers executive director Jacqueline Mugo. Photo/FILE Nation Media Group
By LILLIAN ONYANGO laonyango@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, March 26 2013 at 16:29
Posted Tuesday, March 26 2013 at 16:29
Employers have complained that the on-going election petition at the Supreme Court has caused a slowdown in business operations.
Through their umbrella body Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), they also expressed concern that in some places there are workers who are yet to report to work or engage themselves fully due to the uncertainty over the election petition.
The petition was filed by Cord presidential candidate Raila Odinga challenging the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s declaration of Jubilee coalition’s Uhuru Kenyatta as the President-elect in the March 4 General Election.
FKE Executive Director Jacqueline Mugo said many employers have reported that office communication and operations have been adversely affected by these developments thereby leading to a drop in productivity.
“This situation is indeed alarming and has negative effects on the business environment as these political tensions we witness especially on the social media have slowly crept into the workplace. This is not desirable and we are appealing to all Kenyans to remain calm as we wait for the outcome of the Petition.” the FKE Executive Director said in a statement sent to the media.
She called on workers to remain focused on carrying out their duties and to contribute to maintaining stability at workplaces.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court was in day-two of the Pre-Trial Conference and on Wednesday will enter into hearing of the argument relating to the petition.
Further, the FKE boss expressed support for the directive by the Chief Justice Willy Mutunga that bars petitioners, their agents and supporters or advisors from prosecuting the merits of their case from any other forum as it is only the Supreme Court that is empowered by law to determine the case.
“Discussions around this petition are causing unease and lowering labour productivity. The country cannot afford to wallow in this situation for long and we urge for speed in resolution of the impasse without compromising the merits of the case. Workers need to get down to work and shun politics as that is where their bread and butter come from.” Ms Mugo said.
Specifically, she noted that reports from Western region indicated growing tension which is affecting operations in work places with workers gathering in groups to discuss politics.
“The situation is worrying to the extent that some sugar companies in the Western region have resorted to team briefs to reassure workers that the matter is in the safe hands of the Supreme Court,” Ms Mugo said.
“In Kisumu business is now suffering for lack of supplies from Nairobi. Stocks in the shops are slowly dwindling and transporters have withheld their trucks in Nairobi.”
And in Rift Valley and Coast regions, she reported that business has already registered low gains.
FKE called on members to enforce rules and policies that aim at discouraging divisive discussions at the workplace owing to the somewhat polarising nature of such discussions.
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