1953:

Tom Mboya’s Kenya Local Government Workers’ Union (KLGWU) joined KFRTU

Elected Officials (1953):

• ✅ David Njomo – President
• ✅ Stephen Obwaka – Vice President
• ✅ Tom Mboya – General Secretary
• ✅ G.W. Owuor – Assistant Secretary General
• ✅ Daniel Ng’ethe – Treasurer
• ✅ John Opiyo – Assistant Treasurer

1955:

Changed name to Kenya Federation of Labour (KFL) representing 35,000 members

International Affiliation:

Due to Tom Mboya’s efforts, KFL affiliated to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)

🇰🇪 Nationalism

Kept the spirit of African nationalism alive during the emergency period when political associations had been banned

🌍 International Support

Secured international support through its affiliation to ICFTU for the cause of African nationalism

📚 Education

Educated Africans on their rights as workers

💰 Living Conditions

Helped improve living conditions of African workers, securing a major salary increment in 1956

👑 Leadership Development

Prepared African nationalists for leadership roles in the independence struggle (e.g., Martin Shikuku and Tom Mboya)

✅ Mobilized workers to strike against colonial government

✅ Motivated workers to sustain the struggle for political rights/self governance

✅ Provided national political parties with operational funds

✅ Union leaders became prominent leaders of political associations

✅ Introduced collective bargaining for workers in Kenya

✅ Promoted regional cooperation in East Africa

✅ Improved working conditions through welfare duties

✅ Intensified spirit of nationalism after ban on political parties

✅ Provided training ground for nationalist leaders (e.g., Thomas Mboya)

✅ Educated Africans on their rights

❌ Fear of victimization and harassment from colonial authorities

❌ Migrant nature of African workforce challenged membership

❌ Ignorance about trade unionism and its role

❌ Poor leadership affecting pioneer trade unions

❌ Shortage of funds due to meager contributions from poorly paid workers

❌ Mismanagement of funds due to inexperience or corruption

❌ Ethnicity influenced choice of union leaders

❌ Constant wrangles among union leaders