Five BWI-affiliated unions in Kenya brought together 39 Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) representatives, including 11 women, for a three-day training workshop held in Nairobi from 8–10 July 2026. Supported through the Union-to-Union project, the workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of trade union representatives to promote safer workplaces and advance climate justice.

Participants received practical training on workplace OHS inspections, national and international occupational health and safety legal frameworks, workplace OHS policy development, and the critical role of trade unions in protecting workers' health and well-being. The sessions equipped participants with the knowledge and skills needed to advocate for stronger workplace safety measures and ensure compliance with OHS standards.

Opening the workshop, Julius Maina, Secretary General of the Kenya Building, Construction, Timber and Furniture Employees Union (KBCTFIEU), emphasised that occupational health and safety must move beyond policy into everyday workplace practice. He stressed that no worker should lose their life, suffer permanent disability, or develop preventable occupational diseases while earning a living.

The BWI Africa and Middle East Regional Representative reaffirmed that occupational health and safety is a fundamental workers' right and called on trade unions to remain at the forefront of advocating for safe and healthy working environments.

A key focus of the workshop was climate justice and heat stress, recognizing the growing risks faced by workers in outdoor occupations. Participants explored how collective bargaining can be used to secure stronger protections against climate-related hazards. The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment to building safer, healthier, and more resilient workplaces for all workers.