KBC staff strike, demand better pay

 By CYRUS OMBATI

Operations at the State broadcaster Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) were paralysed as workers went on strike over poor pay and non-payment of salary arrears.

The workers also claimed they were harassed by top management and demanded changes for an effective and responsive media environment.

Wednesday was the first time that KBC (formerly Voice of Kenya) workers went on strike.

Journalists and other staffers boycotted duties after reporting to work, forcing the station to air music programmes for the better part of the afternoon.

The workers are demanding a 500 per cent salary increment that would see them earn at par with staff from Central Bank of Kenya, Communication Commission of Kenya, and the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Workers’ spokesman Vincent Lempaa said they were owed Sh360 million in arrears, which must be paid before they can resume duty.

"This is our money that we have worked for and we have to be paid. We have been working for free and no one seems to be helping," he said.

The workers arrived at work to find dozens of General Service Unit personnel manning the gate as other security personnel screened those entering. At the broadcasting house, the transmission section was a no-go zone as more armed police were stationed there to ensure only "trusted" staff accessed it.

The about 100 workers, most of them reporters, continuity announcers, artistes, producers and technicians started singing in the compound before taking to the streets, waving placards.

Sexual harassment

Some of them complained about sexual harassment, lack of medical insurance and longer contract periods of more than five years.

They marched to Parliament Buildings where they met MPs Kiema Kilonzo, Bonny Khalwale, Charles Kilonzo, and Johnstone Muthama and aired their grievances. The MPs promised to push the workers’ case and ensure they were paid better.

"We will not abandon you because we know your talents," said Kilonzo.

The staffers said they had been promised a salary increment, but there were no signs the management would implement the same.

The State broadcaster undertook a restructuring programme and promoted employees to new grades as reflected in the Code of Regulations.

But the protesters claimed KBC continued to pay its staff using the old grades and the new pay structure only benefited a few select managers.

They also demanded the return of Metro FM, which was recently converted to Venus FM.

Other workers demanded the retirement of some of their bosses whom they described as redundant beneficiaries of nepotism and favouritism.

Further, the workers said their working tools and environment were in a bad state and need to be improved, citing the cameras, newsroom and toilets.

"Our toilets are horrible. Our newsroom is the one that was in use at Independence yet we want to be in competition," said a producer, Ms Mary Daraja.

But a union representing the workers said the strike was not in line with the spirit of consultations and negotiations.

Communication Workers Union Secretary-General Benson Okwaro on Tuesday appealed to the workers to let the union negotiate with KBC instead of going on strike.

"They should appreciate the 21 per cent increase," he said on Wednesday.

But Lempaa said the workers did not want to be represented by Okwaro and added that plans were underway for them to join another union.