In a fiery exchange that has captured national attention, Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has threatened legal action against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The controversy erupted after Gachagua urged Kenyans to withdraw their National Social Security Fund (NSSF) savings, alleging misuse of funds for questionable government projects.
Atwoli’s statement, issued a day after Gachagua’s remarks, condemned the call to withdraw NSSF funds as reckless and bordering on economic sabotage. “Social security is not a political playground,” Atwoli emphasized, underscoring the critical role the Fund plays in safeguarding workers’ futures. He called on the government to consider pressing charges against Gachagua for making “outrageous, careless and irresponsible statements” that could destabilize the economy.
The COTU boss also challenged Gachagua’s credibility, pointing out his past role on the NSSF board until his 2021 retirement and accusing him of ignorance regarding the Fund’s growth. Atwoli highlighted that NSSF’s portfolio had expanded impressively from Ksh 26 billion to over a trillion shillings managed under stringent guidelines by licensed investment managers and supervised by the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA).
Gachagua had alleged that funds were diverted to infrastructure projects such as the Mau Summit-Rironi highway and the controversial 99-year lease of Bomas of Kenya to a foreign investor. While these claims have stirred public debate, Atwoli insists that the focus should be on transparency and accountability, urging the NSSF Board of Trustees to address the Auditor General’s queries regarding over Ksh 16 billion in audit concerns.
This clash spotlights broader questions about governance, trust, and financial management of public funds.
