Major boost for Raila as workers' body COTU endorses his presidential bid

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s bid has received yet another boost from the Trade Unions in the country under the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU).

COTU affirmed their support for Raila and vowed to campaign for his presidential bid throughout the entire country.

Raila met members of COTU in a session that was organised by the union’s boss Francis Atwoli on Tuesday.

COTU presented Raila with a memorandum in which they outlined pressing issues affecting the union, that they want to be handled by the former premier's administration when he takes leadership of the country.

Raila pledged to see to it that workers receive decent housing allowances. 

“A housing levy should be in place for workers. It will help those down there to get access to access to affordable homes,” Raila said.

He added that it was paramount to have a union that ensures its members do not miss on benefits. Raila also emphasised dealing with enhancing the strengths of the country’s citizens. 

“It is important to have a union that will ensure workers don't lose out. Historically we were dealing with ignorance, poverty and disease, we are still dealing with the issues. In the national anthem, there is the line of ‘plenty be found within our borders,’ this will not fall like manna from heaven, we must deal with the strengths of our people,” Raila said.

The former Prime Minister said impediments should be removed in the private sector to allow for growth.

“Private sector should be allowed to grow, remove impediments, for instance, infrastructure and manufacturing,” he said.

The COTU Secretary-General said he was sure of Raila’s win over Deputy President William Ruto.

Atwoli expressed his confidence in Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya alliance winning the August presidential election, assuring Raila of the support of workers in the campaigns.

“We will get there marching together with you. Let workers be at the centre of the campaigns. And like I said before, William Ruto will not be the president of Kenya,” Atwoli said.

Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi who also attended the meeting said it is important to acknowledge the importance of the labour movement. 

“One needs to recognize the important role of the labour movement across the world. The labour movement, with 2.5 million people, when you speak people will listen,” Muriithi said.

Muriithi added Azimio is focused on politics with policies, unlike their competitors who are only up to empty rhetoric.

"Politics without policy is empty rhetoric. As Azimio, we are interested in politics with policy, not like our colleagues who engage in empty talk," Muriithi added.