Fresh labour concerns have emerged from RAA Company, a logistics and delivery firm operating along Mombasa Road in Nairobi, with a former employee alleging a workplace culture marked by intimidation, excessive working hours, salary disputes and disciplinary practices that have left many employees afraid to speak out.

The new details raise questions about compliance with Kenya's labour laws and have prompted calls for an investigation by the State Department for Labour and Skills Development.

According to the whistleblower, the employee was engaged as a rider earning a monthly salary of KSh30,000.

The complainant says the original employment contract required riders to report to work at 6.15 a.m. However, the reporting time was later changed to 5.30 a.m.

The former employee says riders raised concerns about the earlier reporting time, arguing that travelling before dawn exposed them to security risks, especially those commuting from distant parts of Nairobi.

According to the whistleblower, those concerns were dismissed.

The complainant alleges that the company's Human Resources officer, identified as Mary Akoth, together with an Asian manager, RAA Limited is Ajit Haria, responded to employees by telling them to "go and get employed by your mothers" if they were unhappy with the new reporting hours.

The former rider also claims the company failed to pay their salary for the month of May after they were forced to leave employment.

The complainant is now demanding payment of the outstanding wages and says they are prepared to pursue legal action if the matter is not resolved.

The whistleblower says the alleged mistreatment extends beyond riders.

According to the complaint, employees who fall sick are denied pay for the days they are absent despite presenting medical documents.

The former employee cites the case of a cleaner who fell ill for three days.

The complainant claims the cleaner was not paid for the period despite submitting a medical sick sheet and was instead issued with a warning letter.

The whistleblower further alleges the employee was told to "go and get employment by your mother."

The complainant also refers to another sales employee who allegedly experienced similar treatment after falling ill.

According to the former rider, employees now fear taking sick leave because they believe doing so could lead to salary deductions, disciplinary action or even dismissal.

The whistleblower further states that favourable treatment is reserved for employees perceived to have a close relationship with the Human Resources department and senior management.

RAA Limited is led by Managing Director Ajit Haria alongside Sales Director Suraj Chandaria and Sales Manager Diana Nandwa. The company's financial and internal operations are managed by Head of Accounts Elisha Ouko, Head of Credit Control Immaculate Akinyi, Security Manager Eric Nthumbi, and HR Manager Mary Akoth. Together, this executive team oversees the company's large-scale FMCG distribution network from their headquarters on Mombasa Road.

Another allegation concerns deductions from employees' salaries.

According to the complainant, a previous Human Resources officer who allegedly refused to implement salary deductions against drivers for vehicle damage was later dismissed.

The whistleblower claims employees can be subjected to multiple deductions for a single incident involving company vehicles.

If accurate, such deductions would need to comply with the Employment Act, which regulates when and how employers may lawfully deduct money from employees' wages.

The former rider also recounts the case of another driver who was allegedly attacked by criminals while travelling home after work.

According to the whistleblower, instead of receiving support, the driver was allegedly instructed to continue working or face deductions.

This allegation has not been independently verified.

The complainant says many employees have stopped raising workplace concerns because they fear warning letters, dismissal or other disciplinary action.

They describe an environment where workers believe questioning management decisions comes at a personal cost.

The allegations place responsibility on the leadership of RAA Company, including its management and Human Resources department, to explain the company's employment practices, attendance policies, salary payments and disciplinary procedures.

The concerns may also warrant attention from the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, whose labour officers are responsible for enforcing Kenya's employment laws, and the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), particularly regarding workplace safety and employee welfare.

Below is the complaint received.

Hello Cyprian Nyakundi. Kindly hide my identity.

I was working as a rider at RAA Company along Mombasa Road earning KSh30,000 per month.

Our reporting time was changed from 6.15 a.m. to 5.30 a.m. When we raised safety concerns, we were allegedly told to go and get employed by our mothers.

I have not been paid my salary for May despite being forced to leave employment.

Employees are overworked, afraid to speak because of warning letters, and some who fall sick are not paid even after presenting medical documents.

Please ask the Ministry of Labour to investigate how employees are being treated and help me recover my unpaid salary.