Road sign honouring Kenyan unionist vandalised again, replaced with hand-painted one
Francis Atwoli, Secretary-General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) was honoured in May with a road named after him in the affluent suburb of Kileleshwa in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
CAPE TOWN, June 15 (ANA) – A controversial road sign in Kenya honouring a prominent trade unionist was vandalised for the second time on Monday night, forcing authorities to replace it with a hand-painted sign on Tuesday.
Francis Atwoli, Secretary-General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) was honoured in May with a road being named after him in the affluent suburb of Kileleshwa in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, according to the BBC.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/19qRvkJbEes
The rationale behind changing the name of the former Dik Dik Road was in recognition of Atwoli’s contribution towards Kenyan workers’ wellbeing and his work in advocating for social justice for 54 years, KTN News Kenya reported recently, citing a motion tabled at the Nairobi City Country Assembly.
The national news broadcaster however said the name change was neither debated nor approved in the assembly, in contravention of set guidelines for the process of adopting a new road name in the East African country.
Kenyans were outraged when the sign showing the new road name was first erected on May 27, with many arguing that Atwoli had done little to improve workers’ conditions.
The sign was vandalised a few hours later, according to news outlet Kenyans.co.ke.
It was replaced, with security cameras installed, but was burnt down.
On Tuesday, a hand-painted sign was erected in its place, the BBC reported.
The repeated vandalism and replacement of Atwoli’s road sign has now become a source of comedic relief, with one social media user describing it as “the real definition of not giving up”.
Another user said the collective bias against the road sign had united Kenyans more than ever before.
Atwoli himself did not see the funny side, and took to social media to express his displeasure.
“How do you sleep at night knowing you are a vandal?” Atwoli posted on Twitter after hearing about the latest act of vandalism on Tuesday morning.
“It will haunt, for life, those who are behind it. For how does it benefit them?”
– African News Agency, Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa
