Workers at Spiro Kenya have continue to raise serious concerns about their working conditions at the company’s Nairobi manufacturing centre along Old Mombasa Road.
Spiro Kenya is the local arm of a multinational electric mobility company that assembles electric motorbikes and runs a wide network of battery-swap stations aimed mainly at boda boda riders.
According to the workers, the fast growth of the company has not translated into better pay or humane working hours for the people on the factory floor.
Several workers, who spoke under anonymity for fear of retaliation, say they are subjected to extremely long shifts that sometimes go beyond 24 hours without proper rest.
They describe a work routine where employees can be required to report at 7 a.m. and continue working until 7 a.m. the following day, including weekends.
They say this happens repeatedly, from Monday to Sunday, without clear off days, public holidays, or proper compensation for the extra hours worked.
Many of them argue that this kind of schedule is physically exhausting and mentally draining.
The workers claim that despite producing hundreds of electric bikes every day, their pay remains very low. They say there is no clear system to reward experience or loyalty, meaning someone who has worked for the company for over a year can earn the same amount as a new employee.
This, they argue, is unfair and discouraging, especially given the demanding nature of the job and the pressure to meet daily production targets as Spiro expands its operations across the country.
Their concerns were shared directly with Cyprian Is Nyakundi, who was contacted by one of the affected workers. In a message addressed to him, the worker laid out the situation in detail and appealed for help in reaching the company’s management.
The worker wrote, “Hello Cyprian. I work at Spiro Kenya. At Spiro Kenya we produce 100 electric bikes in a day worth Ksh. 9.5, yet we are paid only Ksh. 17,000. We work tirelessly, receiving numerous kits in CKD form. At some point we are forced to work from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. (24-hour period without rest Monday to Sunday), but at the end of the day, we are not given holidays or compensated. Please let this reach Japheth Rutto, the Head of Manufacturing Kenya. We kindly request him to organize with Flexi Personnel and ensure we are paid better. Spiro entrusts Flexi Personnel to handle staffing, but as we look to renew our contract we need changes in remuneration.
We also need our holiday and time to rest just like other staff members. Overtime compensation should be provided and not compensation with rest days, especially as we tackle growing demand for electric bikes.
They need to review the salaries they pay us. They must recognize people who have worked with the company for six months, a year, or more and pay them differently from new hires. It is unfair that we do the same job, yet others receive Ksh. 22,000 or Ksh. 23,000 after deductions.”
The workers are appealing directly to Japheth Rutto, the Head of Manufacturing Kenya, to intervene.
They want Spiro Kenya, working together with Flexi Personnel, which manages staffing, to review their pay structure, ensure overtime is properly compensated in cash, and guarantee rest days and annual leave.
They insist they are not against hard work, but want fair treatment and recognition for their contribution to a company that depends heavily on their labour to keep its electric bike network running.
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