Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has announced that the formation of national police union is in the offing with the only hurdle being the change of the labour statute.
The first Assistant Secretary General Ernest Nadome said there have been efforts to frustrate the formation of the union.
“Some key figures in government are hell bent to ensure the union is not registered. I want to assure the national police service officers that Cotu will triumph in forming the union,” he said.
Nadome said Cotu is determined to ensure the union is registered noting that the only remaining process is to have the Attorney General (AG) to change the labour relations Act.
He said the Act exempt the armed forces from joining any trade union movement and must now be amended to fast track the formation of the union.
Speaking to the press in Kisumu on Monday at Tom Mboya Labour College, Nadome said police officers continue to suffer in silence and the union will open space for them to air out their grievances.
He made it clear that the officers will enjoy all the rights that workers are entitled to but will only not participate in a strike.
“The welfare of the officers, promotion and other benefits will be addressed but the officers will not participate in a strike. It can be a disaster if the officers go on strike,” he said.
Nadome said that there is nothing wrong in the proposed formation of the union since it has proved very effective in countries such as Norway and South Africa.