Kenya's Central Union Body Issues Fresh Strike Threat

NAIROBI, April 25 (BERNAMA-NNN-KBC) -- Kenya's Central Organization Of Trade Unions (COTU) has issued fresh threats to hold a nationwide strike if the government does not respond to its proposal of a minimum wage increase of 60 per cent come May 1.

Speaking during COTU's Prayers Day at St Stephen Anglican Church here Sunday, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli revealed plans to demonstrate during that day if the government failed to address the issue and warned of a looming uprising in the country following the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities.

The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) has already announced its decision to stand its ground that employers will not increase salaries with claims that this lead to more inflation. COTU is demanding for minimum wages to be raised from 7,000 to 11,000 (one USD = about 84.1 shillings) shillings a month.

The general wages for an unskilled worker in the agricultural sector currently stands at 3,347 shillings per month, far below the cost of living. The minimum wage for general workers such as cleaners, house servants and watchmen among other categories stands at 7,334 shillings.

Last week, Atwoli said the union would not accept anything out of its proposal presented to Prime Minister Raila Odinga last month.

Speaking at the same function, outgoing US Ambassador Michael Rannerberger said he has no regrets over controversies which rocked his stay in Kenya.

Rannerberger urged Kenyans to be wary of the political class and instead demand accountability for their actions, saying the future of the country was at stake.

In the six years he has been in the country, Rannerberger has been at the forefront in pushing for a reform agenda and has stepped on a few toes while at it.

Last year, the whistle blowing website Wikileaks revealed the ambassador's conversations and caused a major uproar in the country. In one of his missives, he portrayed the country's leadership as corrupt and lacking a development agenda.

On Wednesday, Dec 23, Imenti North MP Silas Ruteere introduced a motion in Parliament seeking to discuss Rannerberger's conduct on claims that he has breached the diplomatic privileges and immunities granted by the country.

It was a motion that began on a heated note with tempers flaring and accusations of impropriety flying. Some MPs, however, argued that it was not within Parliament's mandate to discuss the conduct of a diplomat and the motion was recalled.

The ambassador's youth empowerment initiative also saw him ruffle feathers of the political elite who felt he was organizing a revolt against the government.

Rannerberger will be successed by Scott Gration, a Swahili-speaking retired US Air Force major-general, who was one of President Barack Obama'searlierst foreign policy advisers and who is currently the president's Special Envoy to Sudan.

-- BERNAMA-NNN-KBC