Nairobi — Trade unionist Francis Atwoli has urged workers to keep off planned demonstrations by the opposition Azimio Coalition.

The Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) - Kenya said the protests slated for Tuesday would hurt the welfare of Kenyan workers.

"Workers let us not participate in the demonstrations. You will lose your job when you fail to go to work," said Atwoli.

Speaking during the Labour Day celebrations at Nairobi's Uhuru gardens, Atwoli further urged Raila Odinga to concede defeat and seek peace with the government of the day.

"The streets won't change anything. There are some things that are irreversible," he said.

Atwoli further added that the prosperity of the nation depends on peace even as he urged President William Ruto to reach out to members of the opposition to quell the growing tensions.

He warned that continued demonstrations would impede economic growth.

The COTU boss further urged the opposition to accept that they lost the 2022 presidential election reminding them that the elections are long gone and all leaders should look into building the nation, supporting the government of the day.

Atwoli also asked President Ruto to reexamine the role of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in salary negotiations.

"SRC's role is advisory. Collective Bargaining Agreements are freely negotiated," he said.

Atwoli opined that SRC's tendency to set salaries negates the principals of the International Labour Organization (ILO), saying COTU would be forced to report Kenya's violations if not for Ruto's intervention.

SRC is a government agency mandated to undertake regular review of remuneration and benefits of all state officers.