A Criminal- Atwoli Demands Arrest Of Govt Official Who Blocked Salary Deductions

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has called for the resignation, arrest and prosecution of Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) CEO, Fazul Mahamed.

Atwoli issued a lengthy statement on X on Tuesday, April 16 a day after Mahamed ordered all Private Security Firms to immediately stop the deductions and remittances of security guards’ monthly trade union fee contributions to COTU.

The COTU boss countered by stating that Mahamed does not have the authority to issue such a directive, poking several holes into the PSRA CEO's academic credentials.

"The Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU (K) takes note of the frivolous letter by the disillusioned Private Security Regulatory Authority CEO, Fazul Mahamed, which purported to call for immediate cession deduction and remittance of Union dues, from Private Security Workers to COTU (K).

PSRA Director General Fazul Mahamed during a meeting on April 8, 2024. /PRIVATE SECURITY REGULATORY AUTHORITY

"The letter from Fazul Mahamed does not come as a surprise to COTU (K) taking in mind that in 2016 the EACC declared Fazul a fraud and a sham who is unqualified to hold a public office claiming he had a fake degree," Atwoli began.

The trade unionist made public details of a 2016 report by the Office of the Ombudsman titled 'Death of Integrity’ which revealed Dr Otiende Amollo's submission as the Chairperson of the Commission on Administrative Justice that Mahamed had been hired using a fake certificate.

He claimed that the certificate was purportedly obtained from Egerton University, despite Mahamed having been discontinued from the university due to poor academic performance.

Atwoli called for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to expedite the prosecution of Mahamed due to his alleged criminal activities, which led to his appointment as CEO of the NGO Board.

"If the ODPP fails to prosecute Fazul promptly, despite the evidence of his criminal activities, COTU (K) will engage a private prosecutor to protect Kenyan workers from this individual," Atwoli demanded.

Atwoli noted that COTU is not regulated by any government agency and as such, the demands by PRSA can only be made by the union members or the respective union.

"Further, Fazul, akin to a raging mad bull, has resorted to destabilizing and interfering with not only the operations of Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU), but also the tripartite partners, namely, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MoLSP), Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE), and COTU (K).

"In a manner to profess his megalomaniac character, Fazul has christened himself as the Employer, Regulator, and Union, at the same time. Without a doubt, the path Fazul has taken can only come to a tragic end following his Hyena-like Dilemma," he continued.

He added that the union dues COTU (K) receives from Private Security Workers, through their Union’s Affiliation to COTU (K), is a consequence of a Gazette Notice by the Ministry of Labour, dated September 2, 2016, considering the labour laws and the requirements of the constitution of COTU (K).

Atwoli laid bare the frustrations caused by PSRA on COTU while championing the welfare of private security guards.

"However, considering the lack of purpose and direction by Fazul, at the helm of PSRA, it might be prudent for him to resign so that the body finds a competent person who understands the role(s) of a regulator," he urged.

Mahamed on Monday, April 15, defending his directive, revealed that despite their low salaries and non-representation by COTU, Private Security Guards have faithfully contributed monthly trade union fees ranging from Ksh150 to Kshs600 to the union for decades.

"Regrettably, notwithstanding their significant financial contributions, COTU has not lived up to its mandate and has persistently disregarded, declined, and/or neglected to advocate for their rights, advocate for compliance with minimum wage and promote the general welfare of private security guards," he slammed.

A photo of security guards marching. /FILE