The Transport Workers’ Union of Kenya (TAWU) has strongly criticized activist Hanifa Adan over her recent remarks, accusing her of making defamatory and misleading statements.
Hanifa had earlier alleged that the Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), Francis Atwoli, unlawfully influenced the removal of Dan Mihadi, the former Secretary General of TAWU.
In response to her claims, TAWU, through its current Secretary General Nicholas Otieno, firmly denied the allegations, calling them baseless and defamatory. Otieno stated that Mihadi’s removal from office followed due process and was a lawful decision made by the union’s internal leadership structures.
“The decision to remove Dan Mihadi on May 26, 2025, was arrived at through a transparent and democratic process, in full compliance with the TAWU Constitution,” Otieno explained.
He further accused Hanifa of abandoning her advocacy for social justice and aligning herself with individuals accused of serious misconduct. “It’s disappointing that someone who claims to fight for transparency and accountability would now stand in defense of a person accused of corruption and mismanagement,” he added.
According to Otieno, Mihadi’s dismissal came after credible evidence was presented against him, including accusations of misappropriating over Ksh1.2 million in donor funds. He was also accused of transferring a union-owned vehicle and purchasing land for personal use with union funds, all done without official approval.
Meanwhile, Hanifa, in a separate statement issued on Monday, July 21, doubled down on her accusations, claiming that Atwoli has been interfering in the operations of several major independent trade unions, including TAWU.
She claimed that Atwoli played a direct role in orchestrating Mihadi’s removal and even took legal action to prevent him from being reinstated.
“Mihadi barely survived the power struggle. In his place, someone named Nicholas Ogola was unlawfully installed as Secretary General, in clear violation of the union’s constitutional guidelines,” Hanifa alleged.
She further claimed that Atwoli has made it a mission to go after secretary generals of at least six independent unions, using intimidation and pressure tactics to suppress dissent and maintain control.
The clash has brought to light deeper divisions within Kenya’s labor movement, with calls for independent investigations and increased transparency in union leadership transitions.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
