Hunger-driven drama at workers’ fete

Wananchi with a banner at Uhuru Park during Labour Day celebrations on May 1, 2011. Photo/PHOEBE OKALL

By AGGREY MUTAMBO amutambo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, May 1 2011 at 20:15

A march-past of workers that lasted an hour, scenes of anger-and-hunger-inspired theatrics and disappointment.

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These were what this year’s Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park on Sunday were all about.

The hundreds of workers had high expectations. They wanted an increment on their salaries (60 per cent), employment and further reduction on taxes to cheapen food.

Joseph Sudi, a painter, had arrived in an overall splashed with paint. He wore a face mask, but he laid bare his intentions:

“I wanted to meet the two Principals to hear what they say on this issue of food prices,” he said.

Workers also made clear what they wanted early. They lined banners at strategic positions for Labour Minister John Munyes to see.

Some of them read; “Zero-rate taxes on petrol”, “Unga and fare for Sh30” and “Good pay for our police force.”

Fred Odhiambo, the man who once tried to shout down President Kibaki in 2008, was at it again. Believing the messages had not sunk in yet, he wore a banner and mobilised about 10 men for an abrupt march past.

Security agents did not allow that, although this time they didn’t beat him up. They even allowed them to shout “Unga, Unga, Unga,” as they were directed towards another crowd of agitated workers.

It is not every day that Cotu secretary-general Francis Atwoli’s speech is interrupted. This time he was.

The crowd might have realised Mr Atwoli would not begin with the basic thing: Flour. He criticised the Federation of Kenya Employers, terming it incompetent. FKE chairman Cleopa Mailu sat through that.

He said, “We must first create employment before we look at how to increase salaries.” It was evident workers had scored naught here.

When Mr Atwoli touched on politics, workers cheered, but they were adamant to not let go of their agenda. Mr Atwoli had to toe the line.

“Mr Minister, our life is no longer there because the cost of living is too high,” he addressed Munyes.

“Government should open subsidies on all essential commodities, including a wage increment of 60 per cent,” he added. The crowd cheered again.

Hour-long speech

Mr Munyes’ well-cut suit contrasted heavily with what the workers wore: T-shirts, overalls, jeans and in some cases bathroom slippers. Mr Atwoli’s hour-long speech must have made him think of what to say.

Mr Atwoli had prepared a speech with 21 “Your Excellency” phrases, but he had to ignore the document after the President failed to turn up.

“The President did well not to turn come,” Mr Atwoli said. “I am also thankful that the Vice-President (Kalonzo Musyoka) wrote to assure us that he will not come,” he added.

But after an obedient following of the events for more than three hours, 73-year-old Gregory Kioko regretted attending.

 “I got nothing out of it,” said the retired hotelier. The last time he attended Labour Day was in 2002, and he got the same treatment. “I thought they would announce price controls, but they didn’t.”

Mr David Muumbi, 61, who sat next to Mr Kioko for most of the time, was annoyed that none of the two principals attended the function.

“Looks like they were afraid of coming,” said the hat-wearing old man, who has been attending Labour Day functions since 1969.