Advancement of Trade Unions in Kenya: Is the Prevailing Environment Conducive?

Abstract

Trade unions are entities operating within the confines of the law and are recognized as the formal outfits fronting and protecting workers fundamental rights and interests. They oversee labour – related matters and strive to ensure there is enhancement of workers living standards and wellbeing in the place of work. They achieve this through working with employers and government to create a better working environment, creation of harmonious industrial relations and as critical partners and citizens of society. Workers join trade unions for such benefits as higher wages, better benefits, job security, safer working conditions, improvement of their lot and the right to have input into workplace affairs. Conversely, trade unions require conducive environment for their operations and agitation, particularly when governments and policies threaten to weaken collective bargaining engagements. This paper therefore, examines the substantial strides that have been made towards the advancement of trade unions in Kenya over the years. It also analyzes the environment that trade unions in Kenya currently operate in. Though the labour movement in Kenya has developed significantly due to the opening up of the democratic space, this paper opines that, the environment under which the unions are operating is still not robust and conducive enough as it should be for the trade unions to fully thrive.