Fresh allegations have emerged against the management of Tha Nickolee Hotel in Nanyuki, with a former employee claiming that an employment dispute escalated into a criminal case that ultimately collapsed in court after more than a year.
The allegations come after previous complaints by employees about working conditions at the hotel.
Tha Nickolee Hotel is a family-led hospitality establishment in Nanyuki, Kenya, managed by Managing Director Julius Kamau alongside General Manager Penina Kamau and HR Manager Pauline Kamau
According to the whistleblower, the employee was dismissed from the hotel in February 2025 and believes the termination was unlawful.
The complainant says that after attempting to pursue the matter and seek redress, events took a dramatic turn.
According to the former employee, the hotel's General Manager and Director allegedly caused criminal allegations to be made against them, resulting in their arrest.
The whistleblower claims they were accused of threatening to kill the Human Resources officer and of being associated with the outlawed Mungiki criminal group.
The complainant says the criminal case remained before the Nanyuki Law Courts until June 2026, when the trial court dismissed the matter.
The former employee believes the criminal proceedings were malicious and intended to intimidate them after challenging the circumstances surrounding their dismissal.
The whistleblower further claims the allegations have severely damaged their reputation and career.
According to the complainant, prospective employers have allegedly been given negative information about them, making it difficult to secure new employment since leaving the hotel.
The former employee says the experience has left them financially and emotionally devastated after spending more than a year defending themselves in court.
The complainant is now calling for accountability and says no employee should have to face criminal proceedings simply for pursuing workplace grievances.
If supported by evidence, the allegations would raise serious questions about the use of criminal complaints in the context of employment disputes and the protection of employees seeking to enforce their labour rights.
The concerns now place responsibility on the management of Tha Nickolee Hotel to respond to the claims and explain the circumstances surrounding the employee's dismissal and the subsequent criminal case.
The matter may also be of interest to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection if there is an unresolved employment dispute, while any allegations relating to malicious prosecution would ultimately be matters for the courts based on the available evidence.
Below is the complaint received.
Dear Nyakundi. Thank you for highlighting the issue at Tha Nickolee Hotel, Nanyuki.
I am one of the employees who says I suffered greatly because of the actions of the General Manager and the Director.
I was dismissed in February 2025. After I tried to follow up, I was arrested on allegations of threatening to kill the HR officer and being a member of Mungiki.
The criminal case remained in court until June 2026, when it was dismissed by the magistrate.
Since then, I believe my professional reputation has been damaged, and I have struggled to secure another job. I am asking that my story also be heard.