A healthcare products manufacturer based in Thika, Kiambu County, is currently under scrutiny following serious allegations from employees who claim they are subjected to poor labor practices, including excessive workloads, forced work on weekends and holidays, and intimidation or harassment when attempting to raise legitimate concerns about their conditions.
Workers at Benmed Pharmaceuticals Limited report that the company’s operations are carried out in unsafe and unconducive environments, with strict control over access and minimal oversight, creating a stressful and precarious workplace for both permanent and casual staff.
Many employees further assert that decision-making is heavily centralized under the owner, with little to no input from other management or board members, leaving casual workers particularly vulnerable to underpayment and neglect compared to their permanent counterparts.
The reports paint a picture of a company where labor rights are reportedly disregarded, operational standards are questionable, and employee welfare appears to be consistently overlooked.
“Hello Cyprian. Kindly Hide my ID please. Kuna company I want you to expose. It’s called Benmade Pharmaceuticals Limited between Engen and Kiganjo opposite Capwell. Weeh, let me tell you, this company, when it comes to employees, they really don’t care. Firstly, wanalipa watu Ksh 300 per day imagine, halafu kazi ni mingi. Then employees are being forced kuingia job hadi Sunday na holidays zote. So kazi ni Monday to Monday, no even a single resting day. Employees are being harassed. Ukijaribu kuomba off unafutwa kazi. It’s really traumatizing. Secondly, they manufacture medicine under unconducive environment like they run the company at the same time iko under construction. They keep on locking the gate 24/7 because they know what they do is not right. The company doesn’t even have board members. Decisions are made by one person, who is the owner. Wanatesa watu kwanza apo kwa payments. Which company pays its workers Ksh 300 per day at this era? Permanent tunalipwa between Ksh 13,000 to Ksh 16,000, then casual at Ksh 300 per day.”
