Atwoli wants PSRA boss Fazul arrested, prosecuted for allegedly forging academic certificates

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has called for the resignation and subsequent prosecution of Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) Director General Fazul Mahamed over claims of forging his academic credentials to secure government employment.

This comes after Mahamed on Monday directed private security companies to stop deducting and remitting security officers' fees to COTU, citing the union's alleged failure to advocate for the rights of private security officers in Kenya despite receiving monthly contributions from them.

Mahamed, in the directive that caused him to butt heads with Atwoli, also threatened the revocation of licenses for security firms that would not adhere to the order.

In a Tuesday rejoinder, Atwoli questioned Mahamed's credentials citing 2016 reports from the EACC and the Office of the Ombudsman which reportedly declared him as unqualified for public office having allegedly falsified a degree from Egerton University.

"At this point, COTU (K) urges the ODPP to expedite the prosecution of Fazul due to his alleged criminal activities, which led to his appointment as CEO of the NGO Board. If the ODPP fails to prosecute Fazul promptly, despite the evidence of his criminal activities, COTU (K) will engage a private prosecutor to protect Kenyan workers from this individual," said Atwoli.

"Considering the lack of purpose and direction by Fazul, at the helm of PSRA, it might be prudent for him to resign so that the body finds a competent person who understands the role(s) of a regulator."

Additionally, Atwoli faulted Mahamed for what he termed as meddling in the affairs of the Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE).

"In a manner to profess his megalomaniac character, Fazul has christened himself as the Employer, Regulator, and Union, at the same time. Without a doubt, the path Fazul has taken can only come to a tragic end following his Hyena-like Dilemma," stated the COTU boss.

"It must be remembered that COTU is a free and independent trade union that is neither regulated by Private Security Regulatory Authority nor any other government agency.  As such the demands contained in the letter by PSRA can only be made by the union members and/or the respective union."

Atwoli further labelled PSRA, under Mahamed's stewardship, as the greatest impediment to the enhancement of the rights and welfare of private security firms in Kenya.

"COTU has received numerous complaints on the same through our affiliate union, Kenya National Private Security Workers Union. PSRA has, for long, stood against the many reforms proposed by COTU (K) towards enhanced welfare of the Private Security Workers," said Atwoli.

The COTU boss also highlighted the legal framework under which union dues are collected from PRSA.

"The union dues COTU (K) receives from Private Security Workers, through their Union’s Affiliation to COTU (K), is as a consequence of a Gazette Notice by the Ministry of Labour, dated 2nd September 2016, considering the labour laws and the requirements of the constitution of COTU," he noted.