The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has waded into the graft war between the Executive and Judiciary, saying the country’s workforce is fully behind the courts.

While defending the courts against accusations of graft, Atwoli called for sobriety in the issue, warning that it could erode investors’ confidence and credibility in the justice system.

“None of the judges we have here has come to us demanding any bribe and if I would have an opportunity to meet the President, I would kindly ask him to protect our Employment and Labour Relations Court because it is dear to me,” he said.

“The court has done immense work to bring industrial peace, democracy and stability which has made our economy grow.”

This comes a day after Chief Justice Martha Koome warned that the onslaught against the Judiciary by the two arms of the government was a recipe for chaos.

In the last couple of weeks, President William Ruto and his cronies have trained their guns on the Judiciary accusing some judges of graft while issuing court orders that were affecting capital projects.

Atwoli termed the onslaught as unhealthy in a country that believes in the rule of law, adding that no affiliate union of COTU had complained of graft in the Judiciary, specifically in the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC).

“Judges at the Employment and Labour Relations Courts have heard and determined many cases regarding labour and we have not heard any complaint about them,” he said.

“This is a court that protects the weak; therefore we will be at the forefront of protecting the court.”

The outspoken unionist said that he would be seeking an audience with the President so as to discuss the issue deeply and seek a way forward.

Atwoli also called for investigations into alleged massive graft at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) where he claimed workers are openly collecting bribes from visitors to allow them passage with their uninspected luggage.

“There is heavy corruption at the airport and I have raised the issue with the Transport CS. Foreigners are being asked to pay so that they can get out with their goods at the airport,” he said.

The COTU boss spoke on Tuesday at the Lake Naivasha Resort during the opening ceremony of the International Labour Standards (ILS) training for ELRC judges and registrars.