This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
On August 14, 2019, Telkom Kenya revealed that the merged entity with Airtel Kenya would absorb an undisclosed number of employees, offering them a soft landing after the declaration of redundant positions.
The move comes just weeks after the firm indicated that it would lay off 575 workers, equivalent to about 72 percent of its workforce, a decision that sent shockwaves among its workers.
According to a statement from Telkom Kenya, the intention is to advertise and interview Telkom employees for positions in the combined entity and its outsourced partners. However, available positions will determine reabsorption.
Engagement of these employees will be guided by the combined entity's recruitment criteria as well as the mapped positions therein.
The merger with rival Airtel Kenya has faced opposition from former Airtel staff, who are seeking Sh1 billion compensation for unfair termination. The 52 ex-workers have a pending case in court and have expressed concerns about the merged entity's refusal to shoulder liabilities of Airtel and Telkom Kenya.
Separately, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has opened an inquiry into how the deal to merge the two telcos was brokered. EACC director of investigations Abdi Mohamud told the Parliamentary Committee on Implementation that the commission would constitute a legal team to see whether it can temporarily halt further transactions on the deal to safeguard public interest.
