Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has called on President-elect, Uhuru Kenyatta to reach out to Raila Odinga and dialogue.
Atwoli said it is only through dialogue that actions of violence that have erupted due to Presidential election results impasse will come to an end.
In a press conference on Sunday, Atwoli said Uhuru’s act of reaching out to Raila in his acceptance speech on Friday is laudable but, he needs to do more than just talk and “act.”
The COTU boss said with a cloud of political tension hanging, it is impossible for businesses to thrive and solve unemployment crisis.
“We cannot be fighting forever while we have a problem like unemployment [that] needs urgent attention,” he stated.
He defended Raila’s decision to reject Presidential results saying it is his constitutional right but Kenyans should not suffer because of his stand.
“I am not saying that Raila should concede. He has a right to reject the results but Kenyans should not suffer from police brutality because of exercising their democratic right to protest peacefully,” he said as Daily Nation quotes.
The Kenya National Commission for Human Rights (KNCHR) had reported that 24 people have been killed by police in the past week owing to the disputed polls.
KNCHR boss Kagwiria Mbogori noted 17 were killed in Nairobi, 2 in Siaya and Migori counties; 1 in Kisumu and 2 in Homabay.
However, National Police Service through the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett has dismissed these claims and said only six people have died.
Atwoli called for peace saying “Those who have died are workers of this country and it pains us. All political leaders must embrace peace as every election cannot be followed by violence.”
Raila has refused to concede defeat terming the polls as a fraud and a charade.