Reports have emerged detailing troubling labor conditions at Kentons Pharmaceuticals, a Kisumu-based company owned by an Indian family, with claims of systemic employee mistreatment, racial favouritism, and disregard for Kenyan labour laws.
According to sources, at least five employees have resigned in the past two months, citing intense frustration with the company’s management style and discriminatory work environment.
It is alleged that Asian staff receive preferential treatment, including exclusive access to bonuses, while Black Kenyan employees are routinely sidelined and overworked.
The company reportedly maintains an oppressive workplace culture, where those who raise concerns are told to resign under the pretext that employment is a favor and there are many others ready to take their place.
Employees say they are expected to work from as early as 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., despite the official operating hours being 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with no overtime compensation offered.
In a recent development, permanent staff have allegedly been coerced into signing new contract letters without being given adequate time to review the contents.
This shift from permanent to contractual terms is said to have been imposed arbitrarily and without prior discussion or consent.
Another controversial move by Kentons Pharmaceuticals involved reallocating employees’ statutory NSSF contributions into private APA Insurance coverage without consultation.
Workers remain unclear whether such a transfer is compliant with existing labor regulations.
Former employees claim that unlawful dismissals are not uncommon, but efforts to seek redress through labour offices are often futile due to suspected corruption.
Bribes are reportedly used to have cases dismissed, leaving aggrieved workers with no recourse.
Below is what one of the affected employees shared about their experiences inside the company, painting a grim picture of intimidation, exploitation and systemic neglect.
“Hi Nyakundi. Hide my identity. This company, Kentons Pharmaceutical, based in Kisumu and owned by an Indian family, has become so rogue to its employees. Last two months, 5 employees have just resigned due to frustrations from the directors. There is racism, and the Asians are favoured more than the majority blacks, and only last month they were given bonuses whereas others got nothing. When you complain, they tell you to resign ’cause they are doing you a favour, in that there are so many people looking for jobs. Long working hours with no overtime, as the official opening is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but nowadays people enter at 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 6:30. Recently, they have been issuing employees who were employed on permanent basis with contract letters without even allowing you to read — they just tell you to sign. They divided NSSF contribution to APA Insurance without any consultation, and we don’t know if that is allowed by law. When one is sacked without following the law, when he/she goes to labour relations people, they are bribed and your case is dismissed.”
