For many young Kenyans working in the retail and fast-moving consumer goods sector, merchandising jobs provide a vital source of income and an opportunity to build a career within some of the world's biggest consumer brands.
In Nairobi, hundreds of merchandisers are deployed daily across supermarkets and retail outlets, where they are tasked with ensuring products are stocked, displayed and marketed according to company standards while meeting strict operational targets.
Nestlé's merchandising operations in Kenya, which are centrally managed from the company's regional headquarters along Pate Road in Nairobi's Industrial Area, rely on contracted agency partners such as Topline Marketing Limited to execute in-store product visibility, shelf stocking and point-of-sale placement activities.
For many workers, securing an opportunity within such operations is often viewed as a chance to gain experience while earning a stable income under one of the world's most recognised consumer brands.
Yet, several workers attached to Nestlé merchandising operations in Nairobi have now come forward with claims of a difficult and increasingly stressful working environment, which they say has left many employees physically, emotionally and financially exhausted.
The workers, who requested anonymity to protect their jobs, claim that workplace frustrations have been mounting for months, with many employees choosing to remain silent out of fear that speaking out could jeopardise their employment.
According to the workers, morale among staff has continued to decline as employees struggle to balance demanding workloads, operational challenges and what they describe as an unsupportive management environment.
They claim that many workers have remained in their positions not because conditions are favourable, but because securing alternative employment opportunities remains difficult.
In a detailed message shared with this publication, the workers describe what they say are the realities of working within the merchandising operation and explain why they believe urgent intervention is needed to improve staff welfare and restore a healthier working environment.
"Hello Nyakundi. Please hide my identity. So, I have worked for Nestlé merchandising for a few months now. I am telling you, Nyakundi, here is more of a hell because of what we are going through under the Project Manager, Mercy Rubia, and some team leaders. These women work with emotions. Something small and you are being threatened with how you'll be fired. Aki, working under these conditions is so toxic. We appreciate the fact that we need this job and it helps us, but imagine being paid peanuts and having to deal with stress and unnecessary pressure every day, to the extent of being threatened to work on Sundays or holidays as punishment. When you express how you feel or say something is wrong in an outlet, the PM and her team slash your transport allowance as a punishment, and if anyone quits the right way, she will still hold your salary and allowance. When you fall sick, they don't want you to take sick leave. The PM always says people are pretending. One day, our colleague collapsed at her workplace out of fear of taking sick leave. Everyone is tired; we are really tired, but people are afraid to raise their frustrations just to maintain their jobs. Imagine a merchandiser being paid but looking unkempt 24/7. Honestly, Nestlé was one of the best places to be, but ever since this PM was promoted, shida tupu. She's always late with allowances, can't even negotiate for the team for salary increments, always takes things personally and goes ahead to discuss you with other colleagues. There are fewer resources; unazungushwa right, left and centre all over, and there is no fare adjustment. Allowances are delayed, and they expect you to go to work and cover your routes fully without caring whether you have transport or not. Nyakundi, we are tired. Can she just give us a peaceful working environment? I really regret quitting my previous job; here is hell."