Fresh staff complaints have emerged from Artcaffé’s Kileleshwa branch on Olenguruone Road, with a worker alleging that employees have endured poor changing room, toilet and break-area conditions for years, especially whenever it rains.
The staff member, who requested anonymity, says they decided to speak out after seeing earlier complaints from Artcaffé employees about poor working conditions, staff suffering and weak welfare systems inside the restaurant chain.
According to the source, the Kileleshwa branch has serious drainage and staff facility problems that allegedly affect workers during rainy weather.
The worker claims the changing rooms, toilets and staff break area become unbearable when it rains, with water flooding the area and entering employee lockers.
“Kuna story Nyakundi amepost from an Artcaffé staff member complaining about how staff wanateseka. I agree with the staff from same experiences. I have something also to add about the Kileleshwa branch hapo Olenguruone Road,” the source said.
The employee alleges that when the area floods, staff sometimes finish night shifts only to find their belongings soaked inside lockers. Others allegedly report for morning shifts and find their uniforms wet before work even begins.
“The changing rooms, toilets and where staff sit for breaks are unbearable when it rains. It gets flooded and water also enters the lockers. Imagine unafunga shift usiku only to find luku ya mtaa imeloa maji. Ama unaingia shift morning unapata uniform iko wet,” the source claimed.
The worker further alleges that during heavy rain, staff are unable to comfortably use the toilets or even take breaks because the facilities become flooded.
The complaint also raises questions about privacy and dignity, with the source claiming that male and female staff share changing rooms, forcing some employees to change clothes inside toilets.
“Also there staff share changing rooms, ladies and gents, inabidi wengine to dress up from the toilets,” the source alleged.
According to the staff member, the situation has allegedly persisted for more than four years despite workers raising concerns internally.
The source says branch management has been informed, but nothing meaningful has changed.
“And it has been like that for over the past four years I have worked with them. Staff welfare or care is not important to them. Branch management ata wakiambiwa nothing happens,” the source said.
The worker says they have videos showing the condition of the facilities and hopes that by sharing the complaint publicly, something will finally be done.
The latest allegations add another layer to the growing Artcaffé staff welfare story, which has already included complaints about exhausting shifts, unsafe late-night transport, poor meals, deductions, workplace pressure, weak HR support and claims of unfair treatment by management.
For a restaurant brand that presents a polished image to customers, these allegations raise serious questions about what workers experience away from the dining area, behind the counter and inside staff-only spaces.
Staff changing rooms, toilets, lockers and rest areas are not luxuries. They are basic workplace welfare facilities. Employees who serve customers, clean spaces, prepare food, handle dishes and keep branches running should not have to report to work and find wet uniforms, flooded lockers or shared changing spaces that compromise their dignity.
Artcaffé should publicly respond to these claims and explain whether it has inspected the Kileleshwa branch staff facilities, whether flooding complaints have been raised before, what action was taken, and whether separate, safe and dignified changing areas are provided for male and female employees.