The Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) terminated 80 production department employees at its Athi River facility on November 28, 2018, following a two-day work slowdown. Armed police barred the workers from entering the site after they received interdiction orders, according to a report.
Dispute Over Labor Demands ¶
The workers, who had been on strike since November 26, 2018, accused management of failing to address longstanding grievances including unpaid gratuities, salary increases, and implementation of their collective bargaining agreement. They alleged the dismissals were retaliatory actions against their protest.
A KMC letter dated November 27, 2018, signed by Managing Commissioner James Ole Serian, stated the workers were terminated for 'gross misconduct' under company policy. The document cited violations of Clause 14.4.19 of the HR manual and Clause 17(a) of the collective agreement.
Company Response ¶
KMC security personnel enforced the interdiction, refusing entry to the dismissed staff. The commission had halted operations for three weeks before resuming with the arrival of 120 cattle for slaughter on November 26, 2018. Management claimed the workers' slowdown disrupted this process.
One affected employee, Wyclife Kibet, accused officials of targeting workers for exercising their rights. 'We’ve endured hardships since the company’s revival in 2006. Agriculture Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri must intervene,' he said.
