🇰🇪 The Trade-Union Movement in Kenya 📜

A journey through the history of workers’ rights and labor organization

📅 Early Beginnings: Racial Divisions in Labor Organization

The early trade unions in Kenya were formed along racial lines, though all of them aimed at addressing labor problems that faced workers. The first trade union in Kenya was the Indian Trade Union formed in 1914 in Mombasa.

🚫 Why No African Trade Unions Existed Until 1914

a) Artisans and farm labourers were not allowed to join or form associations since it was feared they would organize sudden and unofficial strikes.

b) Majority of the Kenyans were illiterate and lacked the knowledge to run workers’ unions.

c) The migrant labour system militated against the establishment of such unions.

d) The colonial government fought attempts by Africans to form workers’ organizations.

For this reason, in the 1920s, African political organizations doubled up as defenders of workers welfare.

📈 Evolution of Trade Unions (1920s-1930s)

1922

Asian workers in the railway department formed the Railway Artisans Union but its officials were sacked by the government causing it to wind up in 1923.

1930s

A Trade Union Committee was formed in Mombasa by Masons and labourers with R.M. S hah as its president.

1934

The Indian Trade Union became the Kenya Indian Labour Trade Union (KILTU) with membership from other towns in Kenya.

Name Changes Reflecting Growth

1935: Became Labour Trade Union of Kenya (LTUK) as it began admitting members from other races

1939: Expanded to become Labour Trade Union of East Africa (LTUEA) as membership grew across East Africa

👥 Formation of the African Workers Federation

On 14th January 1947, over 15,000 striking African workers of Mombasa formed the African Workers Union (AWU).

Leadership Team

👑

Muhamed Kibwana

President

📝

Mwangi Macharia

Secretary

💰

Mbaruk Kenze

Treasurer

⚙️

Chege Kibachia

Executive Officer

The Union’s Demands

✅ A salary increase due to the high cost of living

✅ Implementation of the policy of equal pay for equal work regardless of race

✅ Respect for African workers wherever they were employed

✅ Payment of sufficient allowances to cater for African wives and children

✅ Elimination of the deliberate strategies applied by employers to keep Africans in their places of work all the time

The Union changed its name to African Workers’ Federation on 24th January 1947 at the advice of Eliud Mathu who also convinced them to end the strike. A trade dispute tribunal led by Mr. Justice Thacker was set up to look into the workers’ grievances.

⚠️ Despite its popularity, AWF leaders faced repression: some were repatriated from Mombasa to their reserve areas, and Chege Kibachia was arrested and detained in Baringo district.

🏆 Achievements of the African Workers Federation

🤝 Unity Among Workers

It mobilized workers from different communities to come together and fight for better wages.

📚 Workers’ Education

It provided education to the workers about their rights.

💬 Collective Bargaining

It introduced the concept of collective bargaining among workers in Kenya.

🏭 Improved Conditions

It fought for better living and working conditions for workers.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Allowances

It advocated for better allowances for African workers’ wives and children, resulting in better wages.

🏛️ Government Impact

Its activities made the colonial government change its attitude towards labour unions.

🌍 International Awareness

It succeeded in exposing the Kenyan workers’ grievances to the international community.

Legacy of the Kenyan Trade Union Movement

The early trade unions laid the foundation for workers’ rights in Kenya, paving the way for future labor movements and contributing to the broader struggle for independence.

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