The recent court ruling involving a former Absa Bank Kenya employee has revealed unsettling details about the bank’s internal practices.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court found Absa guilty of illegally spying on the employee and subsequently wrongfully terminating his contract.
The court’s ruling included a harsh condemnation of the bank’s actions, describing them as unjustified and abusive towards the former employee.
As part of the ruling, the court awarded the employee compensation for damages and unpaid entitlements, highlighting the gravity of Absa’s misconduct.
The compensation breakdown includes general damages of KSh 5,000,000, unpaid bonus for the year 2022 amounting to KSh 2,300,000, notice pay of KSh 647,218, and unpaid salary increments at 13% from January to May 2023, totaling KSh 373,294.
This financial compensation signifies the bank’s failure to adhere to lawful employment standards and shines a light on its internal culture of exploitation and privacy violations.
The situation at Absa Bank Kenya may be far from isolated, as multiple reports from current and former employees have surfaced following the court case.
Many employees are now speaking out about their experiences, detailing how their private lives have often been discussed by the bank’s HR department, especially during disciplinary proceedings.
Employees have been coerced into writing apology letters under duress, which are then used as justification for their eventual termination.
This pattern of behavior suggests a systematic attempt to rid the bank of unwanted staff in favor of those connected to influential figures or personal allies.
The harsh working environment at Absa Bank has also been tainted by allegations of a toxic culture involving sexual exploitation and unethical practices.
One particularly disturbing claim is that an employee’s sex tape was leaked after a private investigator, hired by the bank, was involved in a plot to dismiss a senior official.
Cases of sexual favors in exchange for promotions are reportedly common, with Charles Wokabi, a high-ranking official in the Marketing Department, allegedly at the center of these activities.
According to insiders, Wokabi routinely hires women based on their appearance rather than qualifications, and he is said to have as many as five women under his influence, some of whom are married, whom he manipulates for sexual favors.
Women who refuse his advances are reportedly subjected to poor performance reviews and threats of termination.
Wokabi has allegedly been caught engaging in inappropriate behavior with his subordinates in the office parking lot on multiple occasions, but his influence seems to protect him from consequences.
Beyond sexual exploitation, there are numerous reports of fraudulent financial activities within Absa Bank.
Branch managers and sales employees are accused of manipulating customers to meet their sales targets, often demanding bribes or upfront payments in exchange for loan approvals.
This behavior has been particularly rampant in branches such as Queensway, Ngong, and Nyali, where managers like Bonface and Victor Ojowi have allegedly asked for large sums from customers seeking loans.
At the Nyali branch, complaints about these practices have even led to police reports being filed.
The bank’s data center, located in Westlands, has become a hub for illicit activity.
Data engineers are reportedly selling customer information, including sensitive financial details, on the black market.
This breach of privacy has led to a proliferation of unsolicited loan offers and marketing messages sent to customers who never consented to such communications.
The engineers involved in these activities are said to live lavish lifestyles, driving expensive cars despite their modest salaries.
The Timiza loan app, another product under Absa’s portfolio, has also been embroiled in controversy.
Elkana Momanyi, who oversees the credit side of the app, has been implicated in fraudulent activities involving the approval of large, unsecured loans to accomplices, who then default without facing consequences.
When audits raise concerns, junior employees are often scapegoated and forced to resign.
This practice of scapegoating has led to high turnover within the Timiza team, with new employees frequently taking the fall for decisions made by senior officials.
The bank’s forensics team, led by Charles Maina and Frederick Ogonda, has also come under scrutiny for allegedly accepting bribes to cover up internal fraud investigations.
The finance department, led by Kemboi, is accused of manipulating procurement processes to benefit companies that offer kickbacks.
The revelations from this court case and the subsequent reports from employees paint a grim picture of Absa Bank Kenya’s internal practices, from employee exploitation to customer manipulation and data breaches.
The court ruling and the continued exposure of unethical behavior within the bank have sparked outrage and calls for greater accountability.
The South African headquarters of Absa Group may need to intervene to address these issues before further damage is done to the bank’s reputation and to the trust of its customers and employees alike.
Add Comment