Former KCC staff threaten march to State House over unpaid dues

New KCC Managing Director Nixion Segei addresses farmers during a meeting organized by dairy cooperative farmers at Eldoret factory in Uasin Gishu County. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Former Kenya Cooperative Creameries employees have threatened a protest march to State House seeking President William Ruto’s intervention over their unpaid terminal and Maziwa Sacco dues amounting to more than Sh200 million said to have piled for over three decades.

They claim the government’s delay to clear their dues has taken a toll on their mental health. Speaking to journalists in Eldoret yesterday, Raphael Akola Nambisia, former vice chairman of KCC workers, expressed their frustration, anger and bitterness over the manner the government is handling the matter.

He said some individuals in government are colluding with KCC management, and only the President can help them get paid their dues after knocking on many government doors in vain.

“We did not want to go to the streets but because of frustrations, we have decided to mobilise ourselves ready to stage a peaceful protest to State House with a view of seeking audience with the Head of State over our unpaid dues,” said Mr Nambisia.

He added: “We have lost more than 50 of our members since we were rendered jobless in 1997, majority passed away due to stress and other ailments in the cause of fighting for their dues from the government.”

He said majority of  former New KCC employees have died while others are unable to fend for their families, adding that the workers deserve to be paid their dues which they worked for and what they saved in the company’s Sacco.

They have also taken issue with National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi for frustrating their efforts to be paid their dues based on the ruling of the three Judges of Court of Appeal.

The workers were reacting to a response by the CS on a petition by the former New KCC employees regarding their unpaid dues, claiming the CS was misled and that he was given wrong information by those behind the looting of KCC money.

“Let them avoid misusing CS Mbadi. We know he just came into the ministry few months ago. This matter started since 1917, some of them are still in government and that’s why they want to confuse the minister so that they put blame on him in future,” said Nambisia.

A letter dated October 8, 2024 and signed by the CS, stated in part: “In view of the above, considering the employees contracts were terminated when KCC LTD was under the private hands, and having complied with the provision of section 3(1) and (2) of the transfer of business Act, the National Treasury believes there is no legal obligation on government part, and therefore the petition should be dismissed.”

However Nambisia, said they were to receive their dues four years ago after 11 years of court battle with their former employer where the High Court and Court of Appeal ruled in their favour.

Nambisia was referring to a case the former employees filed under suit No 1299 of 2013 against the New KCC Limited and the government seeking to be paid the sum of Sh204,472,555.20 at the High Court.

The matter was heard and determined where the High Court made a ruling that New KCC was liable to pay the former employees their dues but New KCC filed an Appeal against the High Court decision at the Court of Appeal.

“Our last solution now lies with the President who is also a God fearing man, we know he cannot allow his people to suffer in the hands of corrupt individuals who want to enrich themselves form the sweat of others,” Nambisia explained.