Trade unions are independent workers organizations recognized by the Kenyan constitution to advance the interests of the workers. This recognition empowers them to work within the confines of the law to ensure workers enjoy fundamental labour rights and freedoms and accompanying employment benefits such as higher wages, job security, and likeable working environs, improvement of their lot, improved welfares and the right to partake freely into workplace matters. To achieve these goals, trade unions require a conducive political as well as socio-economic environment devoid of any hindrances. This paper therefore, examines the political environment that trade unions have operated in, and continue to operate in the country from the periods before independence, after independence and also after the proclamation of the current constitution in 2010. It assesses also the role of politics in the management of the unions in the country. Over the years, considerable developments have been made towards the progression of trade unions in Kenya. This is evident in the increased number of trade unions in the country, workers awareness to their labour rights as well as the increased democratic space. These developments notwithstanding, we recommend that government creates a favourable political environment for trade unions, desist from interference and infiltrating trade unions, adheres to the rule of law, create law enforcement mechanisms for labour laws and equally union leadership to stop any dalliance with politicians. Indeed government functionaries have interfered, infiltrated and politicised trade union activities. This has hampered what would otherwise be a cordial and well managed sector. The government has a duty to ensure that there is a good operating environment for the trade unions devoid of any political maneuvers for them to be able to execute their mandate well as expected by the workers. It must also view trade unions as key partners in labour relation matters and not adversaries. Based on this, we conclude that, the political environment under which the unions are operating is still not conducive enough as it should be for the trade unions to fully flourish.