Fresh claims have emerged from insiders at the Postal Corporation of Kenya (Posta) linking the continued salary delays, now said to have reached the sixth consecutive month, to wasteful expenditure by CEO John Tonui and his inner circle.
This comes barely two weeks after a previous outcry by workers in Nyeri, who accused the CEO of offering no tangible solution during a recent visit and instead directing funds towards per diems, public donations and personal political ambitions.
According to the new claims, staff salaries were last paid in October 2024.
Workers now say they expect to receive their December wages no earlier than June, with payments for the current year possibly pushed to August or beyond.
While employees continue to report hunger, rent arrears and school fee burdens, insiders allege that the CEO has maintained a regular schedule of per diem-funded travel, has made donations during harambees in his home area, and is said to be preparing to run for governor, a move insiders fear could siphon more resources away from Posta operations.
There are additional claims that most internal promotions have favoured staff from the CEO’s community, while junior leaders referred to as Regional Post Masters (RPMs) are accused of being unqualified and abusive.
An RPM in the Mt Kenya region has been singled out for allegedly mistreating staff and subjecting them to arbitrary inspections, with some workers forced to walk to work due to lack of fare.
Sources claim some employees have resigned due to mental distress while others face eviction from their homes or struggle to afford food.
Posta Boss John Tonui Faces Backlash After Nyeri Visit That Ended in Disappointment for Unpaid Workers
Posta Kenya employees based in Nyeri County were on Tuesday left disappointed following a visit by the corporation’s CEO, John Tonui, whom they accuse of presiding over months… pic.twitter.com/Fxu6UT9vLc
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) March 21, 2025
Internally, concerns are growing over lopsided promotions allegedly favouring staff from Tonui’s ethnic group, with junior leaders described as rude and incompetent. The working conditions, as described by one source, have led to mental distress, resignations and cases of staff walking to work due to lack of fare.
The allegations deepen the cloud hanging over Tonui’s leadership, even as the corporation pursues a controversial restructuring programme projected to affect 600 employees.
The proposed layoffs are part of Posta’s strategy to reduce costs in response to dwindling revenue, largely due to the decline in traditional mail services.
As digital communication continues to dominate, demand for postal services has sharply declined, and Posta finds itself struggling to maintain operations while facing mounting financial obligations.
With a loss of Ksh 6.23 billion, compounded by unpaid pensions amounting to Ksh 1.97 billion and a Ksh 1 billion debt to the Kenya Revenue Authority, the corporation is under immense pressure to address its financial instability.
Despite receiving Ksh 3 billion in parliamentary support, Posta has failed to resolve its liabilities, leaving workers in a perpetual state of uncertainty.
The corporation’s failure to meet pension and gratuity commitments has raised alarms among employees, many of whom are now questioning the management’s ability to safeguard their long-term benefits.
Delayed remittances have resulted in Ksh 146.32 million in interest costs, further burdening the corporation’s financial recovery plans.
Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) to lay off 600 employees as part of a restructuring effort to cut costs and adapt to declining mail services.
The state-owned corporation is also seeking a strategic partner for its courier and financial services divisions.
Posta has struggled… pic.twitter.com/OQMEtXLp6f
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) March 27, 2025
Posta’s restructuring strategy, which includes the planned layoffs, is seen by many as a move to reduce workforce numbers without addressing the deeper issues of mismanagement, wasteful expenditure, and lack of leadership accountability.
While the CEO is said to be focusing on personal political aspirations and lavish spending, employees remain skeptical about the future of the corporation and their livelihoods.
Internal sources reveal that many of the affected workers will be from operational roles, particularly those in mail services, a sector that has seen a sharp decline in demand.
Employees worry that the layoffs will be executed without adequate severance packages or job placements, leaving them vulnerable to the harsh economic realities outside the corporation.
As Posta pushes forward with its plans to seek a strategic partner for its courier and financial services divisions, the lack of a clear communication strategy regarding the layoffs has led to growing unrest among staff.
Insiders are calling for a more transparent process to ensure that the restructuring efforts do not disproportionately impact the workers who have already endured months of salary delays and poor working conditions.
The future of the corporation, and its ability to adapt to the changing landscape of postal services, now hangs in the balance, with many employees fearing that their jobs may be the next casualty in a crisis that seems to have no end in sight.
