Disturbing reports have emerged from Vasha The Place Lounge, a popular entertainment joint located along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway in Karagita, Naivasha, detailing conditions that have drawn criticism from both employees and patrons.
Known for its lively atmosphere, live music, and diverse food and beverage offerings, the lounge has established itself as a key stopover for travellers and locals seeking entertainment, but behind its vibrant exterior, workers report long hours, unpaid overtime, and denial of basic labour rights, while patrons contend with overcrowding, safety issues, and service inconsistencies.
The workload intensifies sharply during themed events and weekend gatherings, where large crowds place extraordinary demands on service personnel, forcing employees to navigate chaotic conditions with minimal support or protective measures, which heightens the risk of accidents, injuries, and exposure to unsafe environments.
Staff report that requests for leave, adjustments to schedules, or the provision of entitlements such as housing allowances are routinely ignored or arbitrarily denied, leaving workers financially vulnerable and morally discouraged, while the suppression of collective representation and union participation prevents the articulation of grievances or pursuit of remedies through lawful channels.
Patrons experience the effects of these pressures as well, with peak nights frequently resulting in overcrowding that strains facilities, diminishes the quality of service, and creates safety hazards, while high-volume live performances and insufficient security oversight contribute to an environment that challenges both comfort and personal safety.
The combination of operational mismanagement, overworked staff, and lax enforcement of safety and service standards has prompted urgent calls for intervention by labour authorities, health and safety inspectors, and consumer protection agencies to ensure that employees’ rights are protected, patrons are not exposed to undue risk, and the establishment can operate in a manner that respects legal, ethical, and human standards.
“Hello Cyprian. I am writing this to raise a formal complaint concerning the management and treatment of employees at Vasha The Place, Naivasha. The boss, who is also the CEO and owner of Vasha The Place, constantly talks to employees in a rude and disrespectful manner. He openly insults employees at the workplace, sometimes in front of others, without remorse or professionalism. This has created a toxic and humiliating working environment. When employees try to call or text him regarding work-related issues, he usually does not pick calls. And when he does respond, he often insults and disrespects them instead of addressing issues professionally. Recently, several employees were sent home and were told that they would be called back to work. However, up to now, they have not been called back, and they have not been formally told whether they are fired or still employed. Many employees are currently at home waiting, confused and uncertain about their jobs and their future. Later, during one of his TikTok live sessions, a loyal customer asked about seeing employees “loitering” and questioned why they were not at work (“hamuko kazi”). This is when the affected employees spoke out about the challenges they were facing. Yet these are the same people who had been instructed by management to go home and wait to be called back. In addition, salary deductions are made without proper explanation or prior notice. Employees live in constant fear because they never know when they might be fired. Just last month, more than half of the employees were dismissed without any notice and were promised they would be called back, which never happened. There are also no proper off days or leave. Employees are forced to work tirelessly without rest or fair compensation, and are subjected to random and unfair termination. This is clear exploitation of workers. Furthermore, the boss/CEO uses abusive and demeaning language towards employees, including calling them “dogs,” and threatening them that if they do not work harder to make more money for the club, they will be fired. This culture of intimidation and threats has made the workplace extremely hostile and unhealthy. This behavior is misleading, humiliating, and unfair to workers who are only trying to earn an honest living. Employees are being disrespected, exploited, lied to, and made to lose their jobs without proper communication, dignity, or due process. We believe there are serious labor rights violations happening at Vasha The Place, and we are requesting that this matter be investigated and exposed so that workers can be protected from such mistreatment.”
