Workers at Good Neighbors Kenya, a local arm of the South Korea-founded Good Neighbors network — a humanitarian NGO launched in 1991 to support vulnerable communities — are speaking out about low pay, late payments, and shaky management, issues they say are dragging down morale and hurting their ability to deliver on the group’s mission.
A letter from an employee shared with this outlet under a plea for anonymity paints a troubling picture of an organization struggling to support its own team while aiming to help others.
The employee, who asked to stay unnamed out of fear of pushback, pointed to meager salaries and slashed benefits as key problems.
Many staff, after long days in the field serving needy groups, return home unsure if they can cover rent or basic needs.
“Landlords have even asked some of us if we really work here because payments are so spotty,” the letter noted, capturing the frustration of a workforce stretched thin by financial uncertainty.
Management’s lack of support has left workers struggling with major challenges.
The Acting HR/Administration Officer, suddenly placed in the role without proper preparation or training, has failed to offer clear direction, leaving the workforce feeling lost as operational problems continue to grow.
The employee’s letter described staff members working hard to deliver vital services to communities, yet finding their efforts weakened by a lack of capable leadership, which has steadily lowered performance throughout the organization.
This internal chaos is now affecting the group’s core mission.
Employees, distracted by financial worries and frustrated with a leadership team viewed as unprepared to meet the organization’s needs, are finding it tough to maintain high-quality aid for vulnerable populations.
The letter pointed out how hard it is to stay focused on humanitarian goals when basic issues, like receiving timely paychecks to cover personal bills, remain unresolved, calling for fast solutions such as better wages, prompt funding releases, and the placement of skilled, well-trained managers to get the organization back on track.
Good Neighbors Kenya, long known for its dedication to humanitarian work, now sees its internal troubles becoming public knowledge, which suggests a deep gap between the organization’s noble aims and the messy reality of its daily operations.
In response to these problems, workers are now appealing for intervention from the international headquarters of Good Neighbors in South Korea, hoping that senior leadership can step in to address the mismanagement and financial strain plaguing the Kenyan branch.
The letter specifically urged the global network to investigate the local leadership’s failures and provide resources to stabilize operations, warning that without swift external support, the organization’s reputation and effectiveness in the region could suffer lasting damage.
“Hi Nyakundi. I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention a series of concerns regarding staff welfare, management practices, and operational issues at Good Neighbors Kenya, an NGO currently working in the humanitarian sector. These problems are not only affecting staff morale but also undermining the organization’s mission to work with vulnerable communities.
Good Neighbors Kenya is an NGO that works closely with vulnerable populations in the field, yet the treatment of staff is far from what would be expected in such an organization. Due to poor pay, the cutting of benefits, and delays in payments, many employees, including myself, are struggling to maintain basic stability. This instability directly affects our ability to focus on our work with the communities we serve.
The lack of appropriate compensation has resulted in financial strain on employees. For example, many of us live in rented accommodation and struggle to meet basic needs because of insufficient pay. It is disheartening that after a long day spent working with vulnerable populations, staff are forced to return to situations where they are unsure if they will be able to pay rent or meet their other essential needs. Some staff have even been questioned by landlords and others as to whether they truly work for the organization, given the delays and inconsistencies in payments.
The management team is unqualified, with individuals occupying key positions without the required skills or training. The Acting HR/Administration officer, for example, was placed in the role without appropriate qualifications, and this has created operational inefficiencies and a lack of support for staff. Many staff members are left feeling unsupported and unvalued, which affects both their performance and their engagement with the vulnerable populations they are meant to serve.
The combination of low pay, delayed benefits, and lack of support from management has had a direct impact on service delivery. Employees are unable to perform at their best, and as a result, the communities we serve are not receiving the level of support and assistance they need. This is not only damaging to the organization’s mission but also deeply frustrating for the staff who are dedicated to making a positive impact. I respectfully request that my identity be kept confidential, as I fear potential retaliation or bias if it becomes known that I raised these concerns.”
