Reports from multiple current and former employees at NTSA-accredited training institution Petanns Driving School have exposed claims of widespread worker exploitation, underpayment and a toxic internal culture, with senior management allegedly enforcing unreasonable expectations while evading labour standards and oversight.
According to multiple internal accounts, the situation at the institution’s headquarters in Kiambu and its various branches is increasingly untenable, particularly for instructors and branch office managers.
Sources allege that staff are routinely misled during recruitment, with promised compensation differing significantly from what they eventually receive.
Instructors and branch personnel reportedly commit to full-time roles, only to discover that actual payments fall short of expectations, and are often issued in inconsistent or opaque ways.
There are claims that the school pays many of its employees via informal channels such as mobile money or even cash, potentially bypassing statutory remittances and exposing workers to long-term insecurity.
Several staff also say no documentation, such as NHIF, NSSF, or KRA details, is ever collected, raising concerns over compliance with basic employment and tax laws.
More troubling are descriptions of a hostile work environment allegedly fostered by senior figures at the main office, with reports of verbal abuse, unrealistic sales targets, and pressure tactics imposed without regard to job descriptions or agreed roles.
Some branch managers describe being treated more like field agents than administrators, with aggressive demands from the top despite limited support or resources.
Internal morale, sources say, is at an all-time low, with high turnover and an atmosphere of silence driven by fear of retaliation or job loss.
Some employees who spoke out to us under the request of anonymity say they do so on behalf of others still at the institution, many of whom feel trapped by economic hardship and unable to raise their voices.
Calls are now growing for regulatory authorities, including the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Ministry of Labour, to investigate the institution’s employment practices, ensure compliance with labour laws, and hold accountable any officials found to be exploiting workers under the guise of professional training.
Others with similar experiences are strongly encouraged to come forward and share their stories through our platforms to help paint a fuller picture of the institutional culture and treatment of employees at Petanns Driving School.
