More than 600 workers of the Athi River based Export Processing Zone Authority have dismissed the recent Tailors and Textile Workers Union elections.
Addressing this reporter in Athi River town on Wednesday, the employees who claim memberships in the union said there were no elections conducted but selections of individuals to various positions were done.
They accused managements of several textile industries at the zone of colluding with the region’s security agencies to harass and deny more than 15,000 workers and union members access to the voting venue because they were supporting a candidate against the managers'wishes.
“I was ejected from the hotel where the elections were taking place last Sunday by goons hired by certain managers opposed to free and fair elections as police watched without taking any action,” said Mutisia.
Josphat Mutisia who is an employee at a company within EPZA and member of the union said though he had all documents required to participate in the elections, he was forced out without being told why, “the goons just told me I was not needed inside the hotel where elections were taking place then,” said Mutisia.
“We are all members of the union and therefore, had the right to cast votes to our favorite candidates, why did they make less than 50 people to decide for more than 15,000 workers their leaders at the union,” questioned Mutie.
She said the elections ought to had been conducted at EPZA grounds to allow for participation of majority of the members but was secretly taken to a Kitengela hotel before the information was leaked leading to the stalemate.
“We want a branch secretary who will help us agitate for our constitutional rights as workers and members of the union, this is none other than Hassan Abdilai. Abdilai’s supporters were all locked outside, management of these companies neither want change nor democracy,” said Mutie.
The employees threatened to withdraw from the union maintaining they will not allow their salaries to be deducted for union's membership remittal without enjoying any benefits from the union.
They blocked the Nairobi – Namanga Road in front of the Sandalwood Hotel where the union’s Athi River branch elections were taking place.
The officer, however, called for reinforcement from anti-riot police who shot in the air and used teargas canister to disperse the demonstrators.