The Transport Workers Union Kenya (TAWU Kenya) has called out human rights activist Hanifa Farsafi over a statement she shared on her X account, saying she is circulating misleading, malicious, and misinformed claims.
According to Hanifa, the COTU secretary general, Francis Atwoli, allegedly sent goons to attack TAWU Secretary General, Dan Mihadi, at his office, and in his place, Atwoli allegedly installed Nicholas Ogola as the new secretary general, against the union’s constitution.
“On the 26th of May, it’s alleged that Atwoli sent goons to physically attack the current Secretary General, Dan Mihadi, at his office. Mihadi narrowly escaped with his life. In his place, a man named Nicholas Ogola was illegally installed as SG completely against the union’s constitution,” she wrote.
However, TAWU, in a statement said the removal of Dan Mihadi was lawful decision made by their internal organs.
“The removal of Mr. Mihadi on 26th May 2025 was a lawful and procedural decision made by TAWU’s internal organs through a democratic process in line with the Union’s Constitution-following overwhelming evidence of financial mismanagement and abuse of office by Hanifa’s recently acquired acquaintance Dan Mihadi,” part of the statement read.
Allegations against Mihadi
Responding to Hanifa’s claims, TAWU outlined an extensive list of allegations against Mihadi.
In Employment & Labour Relations Court Case No. E414 of 2013, the Union was awarded Ksh 4 million, which was deposited at the Union’s law firm (Rakoro & Company Advocates).
However, instead of being remitted to the Union’s ABSA account, the funds were unlawfully transferred to Mr. Mihadi’s account. After the opposing party appealed and won, the Union has now been served with an auction notice to recover the Ksh 8.9 million judgment debt.
The Union received Ksh 2.1 million from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) for training shop stewards. The funds were withdrawn and remain unaccounted for. Investigations into misuse of donor funds are ongoing.
The official Union vehicle (KC) 800R) was irregularly transferred to Mr. Mihadi’s NTSA account, sold, and the proceeds used to purchase a private vehicle (KD) 800F) in his name.
Monthly payments for the car were made using union funds from an unauthorized second Transport Workers Union account.
Dan Mihadi, aided by the former Chairman (Stephen Masika) and Treasurer (Jamos Njeiya), made illegal withdrawals from the union’s ABSA account. These funds were used to construct private residences in Ole Polos, Kajiado County, and Matunda, Trans Nzoia.
Despite the courts having ruled that the Union must only operate one gazetted account (094-2830238), the accused continued to run parallel illegal accounts where they diverted members’ dues and donor funds.
The diverted funds were used to purchase several vehicles (eg., KDP 869C, KOQ 4702, KDM 146C, KBK 4348) and a plot of land-all registered under the names of individuals rather than the Union.
On Sth April 2025, auctioneers agents visiting the union offices were allegedly bribed with Ksh 1 million by the former officials in a desperate attempt to delay seszure of assets.
As these revelations came to light, four union members-Chaka Nyamawi, Ali Juma, Solomon Muthama, and Sammy Karanja, submitted a formal complaint dated April 9 2025 to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), urging for a thorough investigation and recovery of public and union assets.
“It is therefore misleading and defamatory for Hanifa and Mr. Mihadi to claim that COTU (K) influenced this process. If anything, these complaints were lodged at COTU (K)’s office with advice being given to undertake legal channels and internal processes,” they concluded.
