A second testimony has emerged in the developing Artcaffé staff welfare story, with a former employee of the Two Rivers branch alleging that poor management, intimidation, staff targeting and lack of support from HR pushed workers into mental, physical and financial distress.
The former employee, who says they worked at Artcaffé Two Rivers for two years before resigning without another job lined up, claims the working environment became so unbearable that quitting felt like the only option.
The new allegations come after an earlier staff member complained about exhausting “funga fungua” shifts, unsafe late-night transport, deduction of off days and leave days during the matatu strike, and lack of proper staff meals.
In the latest testimony, the former staff member places the blame largely on management culture, claiming that employees suffer silently because HR allegedly sides with supervisors and branch managers instead of listening to ordinary workers.
The former worker also alleges that some supervisors misuse food and stock meant for guests, while junior employees are later pressured or blamed when stock variances appear. They further claim that pregnant women and workers facing personal emergencies have been treated harshly, with some allegedly losing jobs after attending family burials despite being denied permission.
The former employee also claims that staff can face salary deductions over mistakes made on the Micros system, while show-cause letters and threatening emails from head office are allegedly used instead of proper problem-solving.
Below is the testimony as received:
“Hello Nyakundi,
Please hide my identity.
I worked at Artcaffé Two Rivers for two years before quitting without even having another plan because the working environment became unbearable.
The biggest problem at Artcaffe is the management. Employees suffer silently because even HR does not help workers. They only listen to supervisors and branch managers no matter how unfair they are. Staff are constantly frustrated, intimidated, and targeted, especially if a supervisor feels threatened by you personally.
Some supervisors misuse food and items meant for guests, then the branch is later punished with huge stock variances. A supervisor like Sarah Mendi openly gives out cakes and food to her wababas and even carries food home, yet ordinary staff are the ones pressured and blamed when variances appear.
At Two Rivers branch, Irene Kagenyi made life unbearable for many employees. I almost lost my pregnancy because of the stress and depression I went through while working under her. She chooses who to humiliate publicly, especially over small issues like being late by 10 minutes.
Many workers have lost their jobs under her management despite having families depending on them. Some employees were even fired after attending burials of close family members because management denied them permission but they chose to bury their loved ones anyway.
The treatment of pregnant women at the branch is especially heartbreaking. Several women have lost pregnancies while working at Artcaffe Two Rivers because of stress, pressure, and poor treatment. Irene openly says she does not want pregnant staff at the branch anymore.
One mistake on Micros and the item is immediately deducted from your salary. Instead of solving issues professionally as managers should, they rush to send threatening emails and show-cause letters from Baba Dogo headquarters.
Honestly, many supervisors and managers at Artcaffe behave with extreme ignorance and abuse of authority. Employees are treated like machines instead of human beings despite the company presenting a polished public image.
Artcaffe seriously needs to overhaul its management culture because many workers are mentally exhausted, financially strained, and suffering in silence.”
These allegations raise serious questions about staff welfare, workplace safety, pregnancy protection, internal grievance handling, shift management, transport arrangements, disciplinary procedures and the role of HR in protecting employees from abuse of authority.
Artcaffé has built a strong public image as one of Kenya’s most visible restaurant brands, but the testimonies now emerging from staff and former staff paint a different picture behind the counter.
The company should publicly respond to the allegations and explain whether it has investigated complaints around staff fatigue, late-night transport safety, salary deductions, treatment of pregnant workers, branch-level intimidation, and claims that HR fails to protect employees from unfair supervisors.
This is a developing story.