“No CBA, No Labour Day”- Atwoli Issues Ultimatum To Employers Over Salary Delays

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has fired a warning shot at employers nationwide, accusing them of a “deliberate” refusal to adjust workers’ wages despite the crushing cost of living. Speaking on Saturday, April 18, 2026, during a shop stewards’ meeting in Nairobi, the veteran unionist slammed the Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE) for failing to honor signed agreements.

Atwoli’s frustrations center on the stalling of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), which he claims are being ignored by private-sector players even after being mutually negotiated.

Blacklisted from Labour Day

In a move to exert pressure, the COTU boss announced that non-compliant employers would be “locked out” of this year’s Labour Day celebrations. The national event, scheduled for May 1 in Vihiga County, is expected to be presided over by President William Ruto.

“We do not want employers to attend our meetings or Labour Day celebrations without invitation because they do not care about our interests and often delay implementing agreements,” Atwoli declared. He argued that it is hypocritical for employers to share a platform with workers while actively sabotaging their financial welfare.

The Tactics of Delay

Atwoli outlined several grievances regarding the current state of labor relations in Kenya:

• Protracted Negotiations: He accused companies of dragging out salary talks for years, only paying increments and arrears when compelled by the threat of industrial action.

• Sidelining Unions: The Secretary General noted a trend where employers avoid key decision-making forums with unions while expecting to be included in union-led initiatives.

• Economic Pressure: He emphasized that with inflation and fuel prices at record highs, the delay in implementing agreed-upon pay rises is putting an “unbearable burden” on Kenyan workers.

Serious Allegations: Tax Evasion and Shell Companies

Beyond wage disputes, Atwoli leveled serious accusations of financial misconduct against certain firms. He claimed that some companies are utilizing shell entities to under-declare their income. By doing so, he argued, these employers avoid both their fair share of taxes and their obligations to provide competitive compensation packages to their staff.

A Platform for Change

With Labour Day less than two weeks away, COTU plans to use the Vihiga celebrations as a high-stakes arena to lobby the President for better pay and improved working conditions. Atwoli’s latest ultimatum signals a period of heightened tension between labor and capital, as the union seeks to turn the tide on wage stagnation in a volatile economy.