Casual workers at Sleeping Warrior Camp in Gilgil are raising alarm over what they describe as years of poor pay, lack of employment contracts, long working hours, intimidation and unfair treatment at the workplace. In an anonymous complaint sent to Cyprian Nyakundi, workers claim that some staff have worked at the camp for two to three years as casual labourers without being issued formal contracts. According...

Casual workers at Sleeping Warrior Camp in Gilgil are raising alarm over what they describe as years of poor pay, lack of employment contracts, long working hours, intimidation and unfair treatment at the workplace. In an anonymous complaint sent to Cyprian Nyakundi, workers claim that some staff have worked at the camp for two to three years as casual labourers without being issued formal contracts. According to the workers, many of them earn between KSh300 and KSh500 per day, with no pay during off days and no extra compensation for public holidays or extended working hours. They say the situation has become unbearable, but many employees cannot quit because they depend on the job to pay rent, school fees, food, transport and other basic bills. The workers further allege that during busy events, karaoke nights and high-guest periods, staff can be made to work from as early as 7am until around 1am the following day without overtime pay. They also claim that refusing such long shifts can result in threats, loss of pay or termination. The complainants have accused the camp’s management of intimidation, saying workers fear speaking openly because complaints allegedly lead to victimisation or dismissal. They specifically claim that managers Mr Mbirua and Mr Waweru have created a work environment where staff are afraid to raise concerns. The workers also allege favouritism and tribal discrimination at the workplace, claiming that opportunities and treatment are not equal for all employees. They further claim that despite raising their concerns several times, nothing has changed. The complaint also names Julie Gichuru and Tony Gichuru as the owners of the establishment, with workers claiming that their public image of leadership and kindness does not reflect the conditions faced by employees behind the scenes. Below is the workers’ testimony as received: > “Hi Cyprian, tafadhali hide identity yetu. We have decided enough is enough especially from these big people. > > Tunaomba utusaidie ku check situation yetu hapa Sleeping Warrior Camp, Gilgil. Tumekuwa working as casuals for years, wengine 2 years, wengine 3 years, lakini every time they don’t want to give us contracts. Imagine being a casual for years and we cannot do anything because this hotel is owned by Julie Gichuru and Tony Gichuru who are very powerful in Kenya. > > Wengi wetu tunalipwa 300 bob per day na wengine 500 bob per day. When you are off, you don’t get paid. Even public holidays there is no extra pay. Is this fair really? > > Tumecomplain mara nyingi lakini hakuna changes. Life ni hard sana saa hii na jobs ni chache, so wengi wetu hatuwezi just quit because tunategemea hii kazi kulipa rent, food, school fees na bills. > > Pia kuna staff wengi ambao wanahisi kuna favouritism na unfair treatment mahali pa kazi. Wengine wanaogopa kuongea openly kwa sababu wanaogopa kupoteza kazi zao. Huyu manager Mr Mbirua, any complaint anakutoa kazi. > > Kuna pia complaints kuhusu tribalism. Staff wanafeel opportunities na treatment si equal kwa kila mtu. Hii ni issue ambayo imekuwa for a long time. > > Working hours pia ni nyingi sana. Unaweza anza kazi 7am up to 1am the following day with no extra pay. If you refuse, you don’t get paid or you can lose your job, especially wakati kuna events, karaoke au guests wengi. > > Hata after ya kufanya all those hours, bado unarudi home na hiyo 300 bob ama 500 bob ambayo ndiyo inakusaidia kusurvive. > > We deserve better treatment, proper contracts, fair pay and fair treatment. Sisi hatutafuti conflict, tunataka tu people to know what is happening behind the scenes. > > Julie and Tony know everything and we have complained to them many many times. > > Tafadhali usitoe identity yetu kwa sababu tunaogopa retaliation na kupoteza kazi. Tunaomba tu you investigate this and raise awareness so that we can please get our contracts and proper pay like other hotels.” If confirmed, the claims raise serious questions about labour practices at the camp, including prolonged casual employment, minimum pay, overtime, public holiday compensation, workplace discrimination, staff welfare and the right of employees to raise complaints without fear of retaliation. Kenya’s hospitality sector depends heavily on low-paid workers who cook, clean, serve guests, set up events and keep establishments running, yet many of them remain invisible behind polished brands and luxury experiences. Sleeping Warrior Camp management should publicly respond to these allegations and clarify whether casual workers are issued contracts, whether overtime is paid, whether staff working during public holidays receive lawful compensation, and whether complaints of intimidation and discrimination have been investigated. Workers are not asking for favours. They are asking for dignity, fair pay, proper contracts and humane treatment.