Kidero’s 250k Labour day gift to Cotu
The Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU will hold this year’s Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park free of charge after Nairobi’s Governor Evans Kidero waived the fee for hiring the facility.
The Nairobi City County Finance Act, 2013 sets the charges for holding an event at the park, including using the main dais, at Sh 250, 000.
During a press briefing on Monday at Solidarity Building, COTU Secretary Francis Atwoli said they had struck an agreement with Governor Kidero to hold the May 1 celebrations at the park free of charge.
“Usually in the past years we have been paying some fee to the City Council to hold Labour Day events. However this time round we will not pay a cent after we reached an agreement with Kidero,” said Mr Atwoli.
The Nairobi City County Tax Waivers Administration Bill, 2013 gives the Governor, in consultation with the county executive, powers to waive tax for “public interest”.
Mr Atwoli said this year’s celebrations will be presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.
COTU said it expects the government to announce salary increments of upto 20% for workers.
“We expect this year an increment of 20% from the government for our workers. There have been numerous increments in other sectors like oil but we demand this time round to be a different,” added Atwoli.