NAIROBI Kenya May 1 – The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has declined an invitation by the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) to attend the May 1 Labour Day celebrations.
PSRA Director General Fazul Mahammed has cited an alleged ongoing forensic investigation concerning the handling of funds totaling Sh1.683 billion, which were deducted from private security guards and were purportedly remitted to COTU-Kenya.
In a statement, Mahammed cited their legal duty and obligation to promote the welfare and protect the rights of over 1.3 million private security guards in Kenya as the primary reason for their decline.
“COTU-Kenya is the subject of an active forensic investigation under Section 10 (b) of the Act on the collection and use of Ksh1.683 billion that has over the years been deducted from private security guards and remitted to COTU-Kenya, therefore, as an Authority we are conflicted and must with a clear conscience decline your invitation,” Mahamed said in a letter addressed to COTU secretary Francis Atwoli.
He further expressed concerns over the utilization of funds contributed to the trade union, which acts as an umbrella union for all trade unions in Kenya.
“At the core of the Authority’s mandate under Section (I) of the Act lies a legal duty and a solemn obligation to promote the welfare and protect the rights of over 1.3 million private security guards in Kenya,” Mahammed said.
He added: “We firmly believe that any financial contribution from these hardworking and lowly paid private security guards should be utilized with utmost integrity, and solely directed towards advocating for their rights, and compliance with the minimum wage of Ksh30,000 and promote the general welfare of security guards.”
COTU-K has however dismissed reports that they sent an invitation, asserting that their focus is solely on unions rather than regulatory bodies.
“COTU (K), has no business with a regulator because we do not get our membership from any regulator. The membership of COTU (K) is derived from Unions and not any regulator. COTU (K) has not, and cannot, invite PSRA considering we have no business with such an amorphous entity,” COTU said in a statement on its X account.
A competing labour union has also announced its intention to host separate Labour Day festivities in opposition to the traditional ones arranged by COTU-K.
The Trade Unions Congress of Kenya (TUCO) has declared its plans to hold celebrations at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) Grounds on May 1.
COTU-K is holding their celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Lang’ata, Nairobi.
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