COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has criticized Kenyans who seek jobs abroad through illegal means, only to get stuck and blame the government. He urged them to follow official procedures to avoid fake agents. Additionally, he condemned activists for exporting their activism to Uganda and Tanzania.
Francis Atwoli, Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) and President of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), has lamented the number of Kenyans leaving the country to seek employment abroad and ending up stranded. According to his statement, some use illegal routes and, upon arrest, begin blaming the government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Atwoli urged Kenyans to ensure they notify the Kenyan embassy in the relevant country to avoid troubles. "Kenya continues to position itself as a nation that sends its citizens to work in foreign countries. However, it is advisable that there be records of them and they be identified through existing government institutions. This will ensure they are assisted if a problem arises instead of being left to struggle with greedy agents," Atwoli said.
Additionally, Atwoli criticized Kenyan activists for exporting their activism to Uganda and Tanzania, thereby violating international norms. "I am surprised that some Kenyans now blame the government, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when arrested in countries where they take their activism. This is despite the fact that when they go to those countries, they do not follow the required procedures because they know they have tricks," he added.
Over the past six months, COTU has received complaints from Kenyans working abroad about these activists disrupting stability in those countries. Atwoli warned that this endangers those citizens and tarnishes the government's image. "Those going abroad should not incite Kenyans or seek sympathy for them because no one knows their reasons for leaving Kenya and taking their activism to those countries," he said.
Atwoli emphasized that Kenya does not tolerate foreign interference, so local activists should not do the same in other nations. "All workers deserve to follow Kenyan laws wherever they are so that their interests are protected. As COTU, we will continue to protect the status of the Kenyan worker wherever they are," he concluded.