Workers at Compel High School, Compel Primary School and Compel Home in Webuye, Bungoma County, are raising concerns over salary arrears, poor working conditions and lack of communication from the institution’s management.
In a complaint shared with Nyakundi Report, the workers say they have gone three months without receiving their salaries, leaving them struggling to meet their daily needs while efforts to get answers from management have yielded little response.
The complainant describes Compel as a mission institution supported by an American team led by a man identified as Bill Britt. The workers say that funds for salaries are sent each month, but the money is not reaching them as expected. They suspect possible misappropriation by the management.
The complainant also states that workers who share information about their experiences with the American supporters risk intimidation, harassment and possible dismissal. The message sent to Nyakundi Report reads in full:
Hello Cyprian, kindly hide my identity, there is a school called compel high school, primary school and compel home. Its a mission institution supported by Americans team lead by Bill britt, his fb name. Its located in webuye Bungoma county. The overal workers haven't recieved their salaries for the last three months and the management in kenya isn't responding to the needs of the worker. They are complaining of poor and delay of salaries, poor communication and poor working conditions. They attest that the the money for salaries are sent every month but the managment in Kenya simplely misaapropriates the funds. Kindly share this outThe whites from us are not the problem, the blacks are , they intimidate and haras whoever gives the whites information of their attrocities. You can be sure of lossing your job incase they realize you are the one who give such information to the whites
Compel’s own website identifies Compel Outreach International as a mission organisation established by Bill and Wendy Britt. Its published information describes work in Kenya that includes a children’s home and a primary school serving children from the home and the surrounding community. The organisation’s stated mission includes meeting physical and spiritual needs, educating children and supporting vulnerable communities.
The Ministry of Labour can also be asked to establish whether the wage arrears violate employment obligations and whether affected workers have been denied their lawful dues.
Nyakundi Report is calling on Compel’s management and its American leadership, including Bill and Wendy Britt, to address the issue and provide an account of the reported salary arrears.
How can an institution established to serve a community continue operating while workers say that they have gone three months without pay, and who will account for the money they say was intended for their salaries?