Factory staff protests against harassment

Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria (right) argues with George Thiong’o at Bedi Fabrics Factory in Nakuru yesterday. The firm’s employees say the man, believed to be a police officer, has been harassing them. [PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/Standard]

There was commotion at a textile factory after two legislators demanded to know why armed officers were deployed to supervise employees.

The MPs, Samuel Arama (Nakuru West) and David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East), stormed Bedi Fabrics Factory located in Shabaab estate after receiving numerous complaints of harassment by employees.

The employees had staged a peaceful demonstration demanding an audience with the managers, whom they accused of failing to address issues affecting their work environment.

According to the employees, Administration Police officer George Thiong’o, whom The Standard found on the premises, has been deployed to the factory.

 Always armed

They accused him of harassing and intimidating them while they were on duty.

They said the officer was always armed with a gun and had on several occasions beat up employees who did not comply with harsh working conditions.

“Employees are afraid because there is a policeman here who is always armed and whenever someone raises a concern, he beats them and takes them to the police station,” said Wycliffe Kusunyo, the branch secretary of Textile and Workers Union.

When the MPs stormed the premises, they found the armed police officer dressed in civilian clothes. The officer also had handcuffs and teargas canisters.

Mr Gikaria demanded to know what his role at the factory was.

The policeman maintained that senior police officers on the premises knew him and understood his role at the factory. Mr Thiong’o was referring to police inspectors Augustine Kisamba, Kamito Comrad and Robert Kireru.

“We want this officer to introduce himself and tell us who assigned him here and what his responsibilities are because he might be an imposter. It is also surprising that he is in civilian clothes,” said Gikaria.

The MP requested Thiong’o to produce his work identification card, which he refused to do, saying he could not talk because his seniors were on the premises and would talk on his behalf.

And while the MPs were trying to speak with the factory managers, Thiong’o slipped away.

Nakuru OCPD Joshua Omukata distanced himself from the AP officer.

“I know all my officers and as at now, I have not deployed any to this company,” he said.

An imposter

The OCPD said the matter would be investigated and termed Thiong’o an imposter.

However, AP officers contradicted the OCPD saying he was fully aware of Thiong’o’s deployment.

Other issues raised by the employees included failure by the management to absorb employees on a permanent basis, overwork, less pay and restrictions about joining the workers’ union.

Armed anti-riot police officers dispersed demonstrators during the early morning incident.

Maurice Shiundu, the Nakuru branch secretary of Kenya Building and Construction Union, was arrested during the confrontation and taken to Central Police Station.

Joel Omweno, a labour officer, admitted that employees at the factory were working under harsh conditions.

He said he has tried to engage the management to seek a solution but they were reluctant the discuss the matter.