Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) Secretary General Seth Panyako has mourned the death of Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Treasurer General and KUDHEIHA General Secretary Albert Njeru Obed, describing him as a fearless champion of workers’ rights and social justice.

Panyako, speaking on behalf of KNUNM and his family, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to Njeru’s family, friends, colleagues and the wider labour movement following his untimely death.

He said Njeru’s death had created a significant void in Kenya’s trade union movement, noting that the late labour leader had dedicated his career to advancing the welfare, dignity and rights of workers.

“Mr. Njeru was an exceptional leader whose unwavering dedication to the welfare, dignity, and rights of Kenyan workers was both remarkable and transformative,” Panyako said.

Panyako particularly highlighted Njeru’s contribution to nurses, midwives and other healthcare workers before the registration of KNUNM in 2013.

According to Panyako, at a time when nurses and midwives did not have a dedicated union to address their specific grievances, Njeru used his position at the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA) to champion their interests.

He said Njeru fought for fair compensation, better working conditions and the dignity and welfare of healthcare workers during a challenging period for the profession.

Panyako noted that some of the gains enjoyed by nurses and midwives today were partly built on the foundation laid through Njeru’s advocacy.

Even after KNUNM was registered, Panyako said, Njeru remained a strong ally of the union and continued supporting nurses and midwives in their struggles for better working conditions and workers’ rights.

“He transitioned from being our primary representative to becoming a steadfast institutional ally, consistently supporting our independent Union in major battles for workers’ rights,” Panyako said.

He further described Njeru as a dependable confidant and strategic pillar within COTU-K, saying he played an important role in ensuring that the concerns of frontline healthcare workers were represented in national policy discussions and labour negotiations.

Panyako said Njeru’s commitment demonstrated the importance of unity within Kenya’s labour movement, particularly in advancing the interests of workers across different sectors.

His death comes as a major loss to COTU-K, KUDHEIHA, KNUNM and the wider Kenyan labour fraternity, with leaders and workers expected to continue paying tribute to his contribution to the trade union movement.

Panyako prayed for God to comfort and strengthen Njeru’s family as they come to terms with his death.