Cotu assistant Secretary General Ernest Nadome claims they are being coerced to support the Jubilee Party.

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Nandome accuses Deputy President William Ruto’s office of illegally engaging Cotu officials and affiliated trade unions, with an aim of splitting the labour movement.

He also claims some Cotu officials had been approached directly by officers from Ruto’s office, interfering with Union structures.

"We want to tell the DP's office that we should not be pushed to declare a political party that we are going to support," he said during a press address in Kisumu, Friday.

"We have always remained neutral but if the Jubilee government does not style up to improve the situation in this country, we will have no option but to declare our political affiliation," he added, on behalf of Secretary General Francis Atwoli.

He said Cotu will not bow to attempts by outside forces to split it.

"We strive to serve our members diligently through our affiliate trade unions and this virtue should not be construed to mean we can easily step down of feeble provocation as these forces within the Office of the DP are trying to. We will remain vigil and ready to protect our jurisdiction," he said.