“Human Rights Defender Francis Awino Challenges COTU Election Irregularities

A legal petition has been filed challenging the recent COTU Kenya elections, which were held at Tom Mboya Hall. Petitioners allege that the process was marred by serious irregularities and a lack of transparency. Key documents, including audited financial reports, membership records, and regulatory notices, were not made public before the election, raising questions about the legitimacy of the outcomes.

Francis Awino, leading the petition, stated that some officials were unfairly appointed and declared winners without following proper procedures. He described incidents at Tom Mboya Hall where candidates were reportedly handpicked, members were stacked in certain areas, and the vote-counting process lacked oversight, undermining credibility and fairness.

The petition seeks to hold COTU leadership accountable, particularly regarding the management of funds collected through member remittances. Awino emphasized that the petitioners are pursuing the matter through the courts and diplomatic channels first. While the right to peaceful demonstrations is guaranteed under Article 37 of the Constitution, he noted that protests may follow if accountability is not observed.

“This is about ensuring transparency, protecting workers’ rights, and upholding the Constitution,” Awino said. He added that every Kenyan worker has the right to know how their contributions are used and to have leadership that reflects integrity. The petition marks the start of a legal and public campaign aimed at restoring credibility, fairness, and accountability in COTU Kenya.