Nairobi – The secretary‑general of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), Francis Atwoli, called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to intervene in what he described as a surge of premature political rallies ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general elections. Speaking at the 61st Labour Day celebrations in Vihiga County, Atwoli warned that unchecked political activity could destabilise the country and disproportionately affect workers, women and children.
Atwoli said the frequency of public rallies and political mobilisation, despite Kenya not yet being in an official campaign period, poses a risk to national cohesion. “We are very concerned about the ongoing political rallies in this Republic. We urge the IEBC to put a stop to this menace and ask Kenyans to wait until the commission releases the campaign calendar for next year’s elections,” he said.
The trade union leader cautioned that the current trend could inflame divisions and undermine stability, even if future elections are conducted fairly. “Even if elections are carried out and whoever wins does so fairly, this polarisation might cause a problem in our country if we cannot stop it,” Atwoli added. He noted that in periods of political turmoil, workers are the most vulnerable, lacking the capacity to shield themselves from economic shocks that may follow unrest.
Atwoli urged the IEBC and other state agencies to enforce electoral laws strictly and adhere to the official election timetable, emphasizing that development should remain the nation’s priority. He linked political stability to economic performance, warning that ongoing infrastructure projects and reforms could be derailed by unnecessary agitation.
In addition to the electoral concerns, Atwoli pressed President William Ruto to accelerate the ratification of two International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions – Convention 189 on domestic workers and Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the workplace. He reminded the president of a commitment made during the 2025 Labour Day celebrations to advance the ratification process, noting that little progress has been made since.
“The two conventions have been ratified by many countries around the world. Anyone frustrating their ratification is, in effect, frustrating the efforts of your government,” Atwoli said, accusing the Ministry of Labour of slowing down the process. He argued that adopting the conventions would align Kenya with global labour standards and provide stronger safeguards for vulnerable groups, particularly domestic workers in the informal sector.
Atwoli’s remarks come as Kenya prepares for the next electoral cycle, with the IEBC expected to publish a campaign calendar later this year. Observers will watch how the commission balances the need for a peaceful pre‑campaign environment with the constitutional right to freedom of assembly. The trade union movement’s call for stricter enforcement of electoral regulations underscores broader concerns about the intersection of politics, labour rights and economic stability in the country.
