A group of security guards formerly stationed at the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) offices in Nairobi’s Tea House, off Naivasha Road, have come forward with claims of abrupt dismissal, unpaid salaries, and years of unremitted statutory deductions under their former employer, Ismax Security Limited.
According to the affected workers, they were caught off guard earlier this month when a new security firm suddenly took over duties at AFA premises without any formal notice or communication from Ismax.
The transition occurred on July 4th, leaving many of the guards confused and uncertain about their employment status.
Since their removal from duty, the guards say they have been pushing for payment of their June salaries and demanding accountability over their National Social Security Fund (NSSF) contributions, which they claim have been deducted from their wages for four years but never remitted.
Despite repeated follow-ups, no salary payments have been made to date.
The company has allegedly promised to process their pay on several occasions, citing reasons such as banking delays but the pledges have remained unfulfilled.
The situation escalated last week when the workers were allegedly pressured to sign backdated resignation letters indicating July 1st, 2025, as their last day of work, despite having served until July 4th.
The workers refused, insisting they should not be forced to falsify employment records.
Adding to their frustration, they claim the company has since stopped answering their calls, leaving them in a state of anxiety and uncertainty.
Many of the affected individuals say they are struggling to meet basic needs, including paying rent and providing for their families, as the month progresses without any resolution.
The workers are now calling for intervention and justice, urging labour authorities and relevant government bodies to investigate Ismax Security’s practices and ensure they receive their rightful dues.
“Good afternoon Nyakundi. Kindly hide my identity. We were working with Ismax Security at AFA [Agriculture and Food Authority]. Ismax Security didn’t even give us any notice that there was a new company taking over the job — we just realized the same day that the new security was taking over, with no notice in advance. Since 4th July 2025, we have been following up about our salary and other issues like NSSF but in vain. To date, we have not been paid our June salaries, and even our NSSF has not been remitted for the past four years, even though they have been deducting from our salary for the past four years. Last week Tuesday, they said they would pay us our salary, but they postponed with the reason that it was late and the bank was closed. They promised they would send the money on Friday, but they didn’t do as promised. Most of us have families that depend on us. We have not paid rent and it’s now mid-month with no hope that they will pay. On Saturday, we were at the office asking for our money, and the HR was forcing each of us to write a resignation letter, specifically dated 1st July 2025, to indicate that that was the date we resigned. We all refused to write the letter because we were on duty until 4th July 2025. Since Saturday, they have not been picking our calls and there’s no information concerning our salaries and the NSSF issues. I am just asking for your assistance so that we can get justice and get paid our salary.”
