Former employees of the Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) have announced plans to march to State House, Nairobi, in a bid to seek President William Ruto’s intervention in their long-standing battle for unpaid terminal dues amounting to more than Ksh. 220 million. This dramatic turn comes after years of frustration with what they describe as a lack of accountability and justice from various government agencies.
Raphael Akola Nambisia, the former Vice Chairman of KCC workers, leads the group of aggrieved ex-employees. Speaking during a recent gathering, Nambisia expressed the collective bitterness and anger of his fellow former workers over the government’s handling of their plight. He described the struggle to obtain their rightful dues as an exhausting and emotionally draining ordeal, with multiple failed attempts to find a resolution.
Years of Struggle and Loss
Nambisia revealed that more than 50 former KCC employees have died in the past decade due to stress and illnesses linked to the ongoing legal and bureaucratic battle. He lamented that many of the surviving ex-staff are elderly and frail, having spent significant time, resources, and energy chasing compensation that remains elusive.
The unpaid dues stem from the restructuring of KCC in the early 2000s, which left many employees redundant. The workers pursued legal avenues, and in 2018, the High Court ruled in their favor, holding New KCC liable for paying the terminal benefits.
Legal Twists and Turns
However, the victory was short-lived. New KCC Limited filed an appeal against the High Court decision under Civil Appeal No. 191 of 2018. In a judgment delivered on July 10, 2020, a three-judge bench at the Court of Appeal overturned the earlier ruling, declaring that New KCC Limited was not responsible for the payments.
The workers, dissatisfied with the appellate court’s decision, have since found themselves in a legal and administrative limbo. Nambisia highlighted that despite their efforts to escalate the matter to various government ministries, agencies, and leaders, no lasting solution has been offered.
Appeal for Presidential Intervention
The decision to march to State House underscores the workers’ desperation. Nambisia stated that they believe President Ruto is their last hope. “We have knocked on every door we can think of, and all we meet is silence or indifference. This money is not just compensation; it’s the dignity of our labor, and we cannot let it go,” he remarked.
The workers are urging the President to step in and facilitate a resolution to their grievances. They argue that a direct intervention from the Head of State could compel relevant institutions to act and provide the long-overdue payments.
Impact of the Protest Threat
The threatened march to State House is poised to put pressure on the government to address the issue. It also raises broader questions about how labor disputes involving public and semi-public entities are handled in Kenya. With the former employees determined to bring their plight to the President’s attention, the government may face increased scrutiny over its treatment of retired workers and its commitment to upholding court rulings.
Conclusion
The case of the former KCC employees is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by many retirees in Kenya who are left to battle for what they are rightfully owed. As the workers prepare to march to State House, all eyes will be on President Ruto to see if he will provide the intervention they seek. The outcome of this saga could set a significant precedent for how such labor disputes are resolved in the future.
