The Communication Workers Union of Kenya (COWU-K) has faulted the government over delays in reviving Telkom Kenya while questioning the transfer of critical telecommunications infrastructure to private firms.
The union warned that prolonged uncertainty and past policy decisions could weaken the strategic telecommunications company further and expose workers to financial losses.
Speaking after the union’s national elections at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu Saturday, COWU-K General Secretary Benson Okwaro, who was re-elected in the same capacity, said the government must move with speed to secure a strategic investor for Telkom Kenya and review past decisions that saw the company’s transmission masts handed over to a private entity.
“Telkom cannot operate without an investor. We are aware the government is trying to get one, but it has taken too long,” Okwaro said, noting that the delay was hurting both the company and its employees.
He took issue with the transfer of transmission stations to a private firm, arguing that the infrastructure had been built using public funds and must be reverted to the government.
“For what we invested in ourselves as Kenyans, how do you allow an outsider to buy that investment? Efforts should be made to have those transmitters back so that Telkom can compete effectively with other mobile phone service providers in this country,” he said.
The union also called on the government to compensate Telkom Kenya and the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) for land acquired by the state for other purposes, saying the proceeds could help modernise ageing equipment and restore competitiveness.
“As it stands, you cannot compete with modern broadcasters using outdated transmitters and equipment. Some stations lack even basic tools such as vehicles to cover news effectively,” Okwaro said.
COWU-K further raised concern over delayed pension payments at the Postal Corporation of Kenya and KBC, saying arrears running into billions of shillings must be settled to protect the workers’ rights.
While supporting the government’s efforts to modernise the Postal Corporation and attract investors, the union insisted that any transition must safeguard employees’ benefits.
“As we move to new arrangements, those who exit must be paid to the last cent. Pension benefits at KBC and Postal are still pending and that must be addressed prudently,” Okwaro said.
He underscored the strategic importance of the Postal Corporation in universal service delivery, warning against allowing the institution to collapse.
“In any country you go to, the first place you will find is a post office. If we allow Postal to collapse, we shall have lost a vital national institution,” he said.
The union, which represents workers in broadcasting, telecommunications, postal and courier services, he said, was expanding to organise emerging players in the digital economy, including content moderators, digital creators and call centre workers.
Okwaro said the union prefers dialogue in resolving disputes but would not hesitate to take industrial action where necessary.
“What will count for us is what we bring to the table for members, not the number of times we are on the streets. But if dialogue does not work, we will confront on the basis of facts,” he said.
By Chris Mahandara
