High Court Declines to Hear COTU Election Case, Refers It to Labour Court - Kenyans.co.ke

The High Court of Kenya has declined to hear a petition seeking to nullify the March 14, 2026 elections of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), ruling that the dispute falls under the Employment and Labour Relations Court. Justice William Musyoka delivered the ruling on June 4, upholding a preliminary objection by COTU and other parties including Francis Atwoli, KMPDU, and KUPPET. The petition had been filed by the Centre for Public Policy and Research, arguing the elections violated the Registrar of Trade Unions' timetable. The case is now referred to the Labour Court, where a related petition is already pending.