Francis Atwoli takes on Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa over employee rights in strongly-worded letter

Atwoli takes on Safaricom CEO in strongly-worded letter, threatens to have him fired

April 26, 2021 11:08 AM

COTU takes on Safaricom PLC

COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli and Safaricom PLC CEO Peter Ndegwa

The Central Organization for Trade Unions (COTU) has issued a statement following a report on new policies at Safaricom PLC.

In a strongly-worded letter by COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, the organization labelled Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa as being "dangerous".

"It's insensitive and inhuman, for Mr Ndegwa to bring about drastic changes at Safaricom PLC while infringing on the rights of workers who have built Safaricom to what it is today. It's also shocking that even though Mr Ndegwa is the first Kenyan Safaricom CEO, he remains the most dangerous CEO the company has ever had when it comes to protecting workers' rights," the letter read in part.

Atwoli pointed out that the CEO has allegedly required a number of employees to re-apply for their current positions.

COTU further threatened to escalate the issue with the Safaricom Board of Directors should Mr Ndegwa refuse to cease the alleged violations of workers' rights.

"We, therefore, demand that Mr Ndegwa stops forthwith causing anguish, despair and depression among its employees in his mission to maximize profit.

"However, if Mr Ndegwa doesn't stop this forthwith, we appeal to the Board of Directors at Safaricom PLC, including shareholders, to make sure that Mr Ndegwa is relieved of his duties because of his poor management style that seeks to maximize profits at the expense of its employees," Atwoli threatened.