Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) has strongly denied claims by Housing Principal Secretary (PS) Charles Hinga that the umbrella body representing trade unions in Kenya took part in drafting Affordable Housing Regulations.

PS Hinga on Friday, June 6 accused COTU of misleading Kenyans, claiming that they were also part of the team that drafted the regulations.

“It came as a surprise to us, the statement by COTU, because COTU is one of very few organizations that had the privilege of drafting the act, and drafting the regulations. In fact, they are represented in person,” Hinga said.

But in a rejoinder on Saturday, June 7, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said they have never sat to deliberate or support using funds for the housing levy to construct social amenities.

“As COTU (K) we have never been consulted, either formally or informally, in the development, review, or approval of the current Affordable Housing Regulations. In fact, at no point did the Executive Board of COTU (K), which is the legally mandated organ responsible for such organizational decisions, sit to deliberate or resolve to support the said regulations,” Atwoli’s statement read in part.

COTU further challenged PS Hinga to produce any written resolutions or minutes proving their participation and approval of the said regulations.

“If indeed PS Hinga claims that COTU (K) was involved, we challenge him to produce ANY written resolutions, minutes, or official correspondence from COTU (K)’s Executive Board endorsing the drafting or content of the current regulations. If anything, we have NEVER received any communication from the Affordable Housing Board or from PS Hinga inviting COTU (K) to give their views on the regulations,” COTU insisted.

COTU declined involvement in drafting the regulations saying their representative, Ernest Nadome’s, role was clearly defined within the governance structure of the Fund and does not extend to making independent policy decisions on behalf of COTU (K).

“Further, the claim by PS Hinga that Bro. Ernest Nadome, our representative on the Affordable Housing Fund Board, was involved in the drafting of the regulations is entirely misplaced considering the fact that Nadome’s role is clearly defined within the governance structure of the Fund and does not extend to making independent policy decisions on behalf of COTU (K). The PS should be informed that no individual is authorized to commit the organization to a matter of such magnitude without the express approval and resolution of the COTU (K) Executive Board.”

COTU concluded: “The PS should, therefore, stop misleading the Kenyan workers. Instructively, Bro. Nadome expressed agreement with the contents of the statement recently issued by COTU (K) warning against the potential misuse of the Housing Levy, affirming that there was no proper consultation with the organization on the matter.”