Disgruntled employees at one of the country’s most recognizable thrift store chains, Budget Wear Kenya, have broken their silence through an anonymous account detailing what they describe as worsening working conditions, where late-night stock deliveries, unpaid transport costs and a growing sense of neglect have left them feeling unsafe, unsupported and ignored.
In a narration shared confidentially, one staff member described how delivery trucks often arrive long after regular business hours, leaving teams, many without personal vehicles and working in distant neighborhoods, to offload goods and reset the shop floor late into the night, often until 11 pm or midnight.
What once was a routine managed with temporary support through reimbursed cab fares has reportedly been stripped down to nothing, with the company allegedly informing staff that transport is now their own problem no help, no follow-up, no alternatives.
This change, the worker explains, has left colleagues, women and young men alike, to find their way home in the dead of night, with few transport options available and safety far from guaranteed.
Walking long distances, sometimes in poorly lit or risky areas, has become the new normal for employees who are expected to show up again the next morning with the stock neatly arranged and ready for sale.
Insiders say that the burden of late-night labour, unplanned overtime and the absence of logistical support is wearing staff down.
The fear of retaliation has kept many quiet, but this plea reflects a breaking point, a situation where basic security and dignity feel like an afterthought in the rush to keep shelves stocked by morning.
Budget Wear Kenya is a widely recognized chain of thrift stores offering a curated range of second-hand fashion and accessories for men, women, and children.
Known for its affordable pricing, style-forward finds, and sustainable model, the retailer operates 12 outlets across Nairobi and nearby towns, such as Cambrian House (Moi Avenue), Westlands Arcade Plaza, Caxton House (Kenyatta Avenue), Rongai, Thika, and Kitengela.
Its product range spans from vintage dresses and shoes to school uniforms, handbags, and even wedding gowns, making it a go-to destination for budget-conscious shoppers with an eye for fashion.
Workers are now calling on the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), and relevant labour unions to intervene, investigate, and advocate for safer, more humane working conditions across all branches. Many hope that external oversight will help restore a sense of accountability and prevent what they describe as ongoing neglect from becoming normalized in the retail sector.
“Hello Cyprian, (Hide ID). I’m a staff member at one of the Budget Wear branches, and I’m writing this because things have become really bad, and no one seems to care. Whenever we receive stock deliveries, the lorries often come very late. This means we have to offload and arrange the shop until very late at night, sometimes until 11 p.m. or even midnight. In the past, we would use our own money for cabs, then the company would reimburse a week later. But recently, they have announced that we’re now on our own. No transport. No concern about how we get home at such dangerous hours. We feel abandoned. None of us have cars, and public transport at that hour is risky or even unavailable. Some of us are women and young men. Walking long distances in unsafe areas just to get home after working overtime we didn’t even ask for. It’s like they no longer care about our safety, only that the stock is on the shelves by morning. Please make some noise for us. We don’t know what to do because most of us don’t want to lose our jobs. We are tired, scared, and unheard. Thank you.”
We will continue monitoring developments at Budget Wear Kenya as this story unfolds, particularly in relation to how management responds to these grievances and whether any steps are taken to address the reported risks staff are enduring.
