Central Organisation of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has criticised the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) for allegedly lying that at least 5,000 Kenyans lost their jobs since President William Ruto took office.
Addressing members of the press on Tuesday noon, the workers' representative accused the employers' federation of spreading propaganda and that the figures presented by the agency were inaccurate.
According to the long-serving unionist, the data presented by the federation were misleading adding that the information was aimed at instilling fear in the current regime.
"That is propaganda of the highest order means to instil fear in order negotiators when it comes to renewing terms of service and if several companies move out of Kenya, you will know," Atwoli stated.
During the press briefing, Atwoli also accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of allegedly contributing to the problems facing the country.
While taking a dig at the former DP, Atwoli stated that Gachagua was among those who backed the government's decision to hike taxes and increase the cost of living in the country when he was Ruto's deputy.
"Rigathi Gachagua, why was he not talking at that time? We know he is not a pro-worker. We know him and we will fight him and I will make sure we fight him," Atwoli commented.
A report released by FKE on Friday, January 24, revealed that since 2022 when Ruto took office, close to 6,000 people have lost their jobs, with at least 57 companies announcing redundancies.
The federation's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jacqueline Mugo faulted the government for allegedly raiding workers' payslips by hiking taxes in a bid to collect more revenue.
According to Mugo, since the introduction of new taxes and deductions, employers are finding it difficult to comply with the rules, with some deducting more than the requirement by law.
"Clearly, if we continue raiding the pay slip, we will not have any income. So what will they do? They will have to keep borrowing; they will be distressed, and that eventually translates to social unrest," Mugo said during a press briefing.
"Then people begin to wonder what the value of being employed is. In our calculation, about 45 to 50 per cent of employees' salaries are going to tax and deductions,” she added.
