An employee at House of Leather Kenya has come forward with allegations that the company is using unlawful arrests and detentions to avoid paying out service dues to laid-off workers.
The employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed that the company, owned by a white man, is employing these tactics as part of a larger plan to eliminate a section of their long-serving staff.
According to the employee, dozens of workers have been arrested on false allegations of theft and held in police custody over the past week.
The cases have not proceeded to court, which is required by Kenyan law, and the employee claims that this is part of the company’s efforts to avoid paying out the pending service dues.
Detention without prosecution is illegal in Kenya, and the employee who wrote to us on Saturday, Feb. 11, stated that he was detained at the Muthaiga Police Station after being arrested at their workplace, the House of Leather Ridgeways Branch on Kiambu Road.
The individual expressed frustration and a sense of hopelessness, stating that they feel like they have been denied justice.
“I’ve been a loyal worker at House of Leather for many years, and now I’ve been falsely accused and detained without a fair trial,” the employee wrote in their letter.
“I just want what’s rightfully mine, and for the company to stop trying to silence us and avoid paying what they owe.”
It is unacceptable that this Mzungu-owned company would stoop to such low levels of manipulation and exploitation of the law to avoid paying off the senior and long-serving employees who have been laid off unjustly.
The use of false arrests and detentions on frivolous charges raises serious questions about the integrity of our legal institutions.
How is it possible that House of Leather is getting away with such crimes?
The situation calls for immediate action and it is imperative that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti takes the necessary steps to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli should also be advocating for the rights of Kenyan workers, instead of supporting oppressive salary deductions by the current regime.
It is a disgrace that he is busy licking ass instead.
The employees at House of Leather, as well as all other workstations in Kenya, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
It is time to stand up for what is right.
As the situation unfolds, we will continue to monitor developments and provide subsequent updates on the story.
