Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has told off Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia for calling the striking workers who paralyzed operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as a 'bunch of criminals'.
The angry Atwoli said Macharia is among the few 'stupid' fellows enjoying the freedom today not knowing how such liberty had been pursued and attained.
"You cannot call officials of a registered trade union a bunch of criminals.
"That is too primitive. This country has a free and independent labour movement," an agitated Atwoli said.
Speaking on Wednesday on Jeff Koinange JKLive show, the veteran trade unionist called on the investigating agencies to arrest' James Macharia and probe him for defying the worker's plea issued a week earlier before the operations were paralyzed.
Atwoli said the arrest of trade workers is unrealistic, unconstitutional, archaic in a democratic society.
He added that President Uhuru Kenyatta has good intentions but lacks advisers and Cabinet Secretaries.
"President Uhuru means well for this country but he has no cabinet, no advisers; he has nobody who understands local and international issues,"he added
The fearless COTU Secretary General pointed out that the manner in which Macharia handled while glorifying himself in the media is 'neanderthal' and that "he does not fit to serve as Cabinet Secretary."
"You cannot take CS Rotich to the DCI and leave out CS Macharia," Atwoli added
Atwoli added that the Kenya aviation workers strike was legit and the government is to blame for lack of prompt response after the union showed interest to go on strike.
"The workers have every right to strike.KAWU is a registered trade union. If I was the president CS Macharia would have gone home because it means he has not built the capacity to handle labour relation issues," he said.