Staff at Nakama Tech, a Nairobi-based technology and outsourcing company, have raised serious concerns about their working conditions, warning that they may down tools during the Christmas period if their grievances are not resolved.
The employees say they have been pushed to a breaking point by what they describe as poor welfare systems, unsafe working conditions, and violations of labour laws. Many feel that their appeals for help have gone unanswered, forcing them to speak out before the situation becomes worse.
According to several workers, one of the most troubling issues is the failure to remit statutory deductions such as NSSF and SHA.
Some staff say they do not receive proper payslips, and instead get invoices through a subcontractor called Dentrix, which they believe is being used to avoid direct accountability.
Without proper employment documents, employees are unable to access statutory benefits or prove their employment status when needed. They also worry that this arrangement leaves them unprotected in case of accidents or disputes.
Concerns about safety have also grown. Workers report several recent accidents, including cases where colleagues died or were severely injured while on duty or on their way home after work.
Families of the affected employees say they have not received any form of compensation or support, even though they were assured that funds had been released.
In one case, a staff member who suffered life-changing injuries now faces huge medical bills without assistance, despite earning a salary that cannot cover treatment.
Employees have also spoken about cases where sick workers were dismissed instead of being given time to recover. They say this has created fear and emotional distress across the workplace. Two recent deaths of colleagues inside the office have been especially painful. In one incident, an employee who fainted at work was told to continue with her duties.
When she collapsed again, it reportedly took more than an hour for emergency transport to be approved. She died before reaching the hospital, leaving her family struggling with funeral expenses.
The staff also say Nakama Tech has no proper welfare or bereavement policy, even though there have been multiple deaths in a short period.
Workers facing grief or emergencies feel they are left on their own, with no counselling or support systems available. Some say they have even witnessed colleagues being denied medical help while visibly unwell.
Another source of tension is the company’s plan to release salaries for December later than expected. Many employees rely on early payments to support their families during the festive season.
They say the new salary schedule does not account for employees with dependents and leaves them struggling to meet basic holiday needs.
Staff have called for urgent intervention from labour authorities and regulatory bodies, demanding full compliance with Kenyan employment laws, immediate payment of statutory contributions, proper payslips, and a formal welfare structure.
They have also warned that failure to address their grievances could lead to a strike during Christmas week, disrupting operations until the end of the holiday period.
The employees insist that Nakama Tech directly employ all staff instead of using subcontractors, and they want management to urgently meet with them to resolve the ongoing issues.
They argue that their health, safety, and dignity must be protected under the law, and that immediate action is necessary to prevent further tragedies in the workplace.
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