Misryoum reports that Labour Day in Vihiga turned into open political mobilisation, drawing criticism for sidelining workers’ concerns.
A national holiday built for workers ended up looking, to some attendees, like a campaign rally.
Misryoum reports that the 61st Labour Day celebrations in Vihiga County, led by President William Ruto and attended by senior officials, were marked by heavy political mobilisation.. COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, speaking at Chavakali High School Grounds, was accused of shifting attention away from labour grievances and toward rallying support for Ruto’s 2027 re-election, a message that quickly spread through the crowd.
That moment, with political slogans and party colours visible during a day traditionally associated with worker advocacy, is why the criticism landed so sharply. For many, it is not just what was said, but what was left unsaid.
According to Misryoum, Atwoli praised the administration repeatedly and called for unity behind the Kenya Kwanza government. He also used the local dialect to urge residents to back Ruto for a second term, framing the choice as a matter of where leaders should push for change.
In his remarks, Misryoum reports that Atwoli also highlighted what he described as the region’s presence in government, while employing political chants that the crowd responded to.. At the same time, he made a call for calmer political temperatures, saying the “IEBC” should act to manage the situation.
This is the crux of the controversy: Labour Day speeches are expected to weigh the lived realities of workers, and when the focus turns to campaigns, it can feel like a trade union moment is being repurposed.
Misryoum further reports that President Ruto’s achievements were brought into the speech, including references to housing and infrastructure plans, with the argument that government projects are tied to jobs and economic growth.. The implication was that workers should support continuity so development agendas can be completed.
Even so, reactions were mixed, Misryoum notes, with some attendees questioning the pivot from labour issues to political endorsement. Critics said the platform should have addressed concerns such as rising living costs, taxation pressures, and demands for better wages.
Political observers, as reported by Misryoum, suggested the remarks may intensify debate within the labour movement, particularly among workers who wanted stronger focus on employment conditions.. Atwoli’s previous reputation as a close political ally of Ruto also shaped how people read his latest intervention.
At the same event, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi urged the Western region to rally behind Ruto’s bid for a second term and pushed the idea of strengthening voter registration ahead of 2027.. Misryoum says he warned against a narrow win, calling instead for a result backed by a “resounding majority,” and urged residents to increase their numbers through continuous registration.
In the end, what matters for Misryoum readers is the signal that Labour Day sends: whether it remains a space for workers’ demands or becomes a stage for electoral messaging. That tension is likely to keep playing out as the next election season approaches.