A former employee of Kenchic has raised serious complaints about the management of the company’s butchery operations inside Chandarana Foodplus supermarkets, citing staff intimidation, favouritism, poor morale and the departure of several workers.
The former employee, whose identity has been withheld for fear of retaliation, has placed Kenchic butcheries manager Joyce Nyokabi at the centre of the complaints.
According to the whistleblower, Nyokabi joined Kenchic after previously working at Farmers Choice Limited and has since been accused by workers of creating a hostile environment, particularly for female employees.
The complaint claims that several workers have left Kenchic butcheries following disagreements with the manager, with women said to have been particularly affected by disciplinary action, dismissals and strained working relationships.
The former employee says Nyokabi relies heavily on information collected from workers about their colleagues, creating an environment where employees feel pressured to share personal details and workplace gossip to remain in her favour.
Workers who refuse to participate in such discussions are said to face increased scrutiny, disciplinary threats or attempts to remove them from their positions, regardless of their performance.
The complaint claims that employees who provide information about colleagues are treated more favourably, while those considered uncooperative are placed under pressure or targeted over workplace mistakes.
The whistleblower further accuses the manager of tribal favouritism, claiming that employees from her Kikuyu community receive better treatment and greater access to promotions and positive appraisals.
Workers from other communities are said to believe that their performance has little influence on promotions or career progression where they are not considered part of the manager’s preferred group.
No employment records, appraisal reports or promotion data were provided to support the claims, and the whistleblower has asked Kenchic to examine the treatment of employees across different branches and communities.
The complaint also raises concerns about professional boundaries between management and junior employees, with claims that personal relationships and friendships may influence how some workers are treated.
According to the former employee, some supervisors receive favourable treatment based on their closeness to management, creating resentment among workers who believe promotions, protection and disciplinary decisions should be based on performance.
The whistleblower says morale across Kenchic butcheries has declined since Nyokabi took over, with employees reporting that they work under constant fear of disciplinary meetings and possible dismissal.
Workers are said to be afraid of raising concerns about salaries, protective clothing and workplace safety because those who speak out may become targets of management.
The complaint states that employees working in cold rooms and chilled sections have raised questions about protective equipment, including safety boots and clothing suitable for low temperatures.
According to the whistleblower, workers who ask about safety equipment or salary increases risk being viewed as troublesome and may later face disciplinary action.
Senior supervisors are also said to have struggled under the current management approach, with claims that they receive frequent calls during off days and late at night over workplace matters.
The former employee says some supervisors are afraid to challenge the manager or raise operational problems because they fear being summoned to disciplinary meetings.
The complaint links the management disputes to declining staff morale and weaker sales performance, with workers said to be less motivated under conditions they describe as threatening and unpredictable.
According to the whistleblower, employees no longer view the workplace as an environment where careers can grow, claiming that personal disputes and office politics have increasingly taken priority over performance and customer service.
The former employee has called on Kenchic Limited to investigate the management of its butcheries, staff dismissals, employee transfers, promotions and disciplinary cases.
The company has also been asked to examine complaints involving protective equipment, working hours, after-hours communication and the treatment of workers who raise concerns.
The whistleblower wants Kenchic to interview current and former employees privately, saying some workers may be unwilling to speak openly when managers are present.
The complaint further asks the company to review employee turnover since Nyokabi assumed her current role and establish whether staff departures increased during that period.
It also calls for an examination of whether workers from different communities have received equal access to promotions, salary reviews, favourable appraisals and management opportunities.
The claims contained in the complaint have not been independently verified, and no official finding has been made against Nyokabi, Kenchic butcheries or any supervisor referred to by the former employee.
Kenchic and Nyokabi should be given an opportunity to respond to the claims involving recruitment, dismissals, tribal favouritism, workplace safety, employee welfare and management conduct.