This archive report was first published on 31 July 2019.
July 31, 2019 - Telkom Kenya is undergoing significant restructuring ahead of its planned merger with Airtel Kenya. As a result, the company will be letting go of 575 employees, approximately 72% of its workforce.
The affected employees are those in units expected to be transferred to Airtel Kenya as part of the merger deal, including mobile, enterprise, and carrier services. Other employees who provide administrative and/or support services may also be impacted.
According to a letter from Telkom Kenya's chief human resources manager, Ms. Catherine Olaka, the company will discontinue the transferred business and terminate employees currently deployed to serve in these functions. However, there is a glimmer of hope for some of the retrenched workers, as the merged outfit has indicated it may provide opportunities to some of them, subject to availability of vacancies and meeting the combined entity's recruitment criteria.
Employees who are declared redundant will receive their terminal dues in accordance with employment regulations and collective bargaining agreements. They have until August 2 to accept the lay-off.
The merger talks between Telkom and Airtel began early this year, and the two companies have since signed a binding agreement to combine their respective mobile, enterprise, and carrier services businesses in Kenya. The deal is expected to create a joint venture company to be named Airtel-Telkom.
