Kenyans of goodwill have urged relevant state agencies to expedite inquiries into allegations of employee mistreatment and racial bias by Caucasian Managers at “KOKO Networks” – a venture-backed technology company operating in East Africa and India.
This follows serious allegations by a whistleblower who recently expressed frustrations over unjust treatment after an unfair and unprocedural dismissal.
In his disturbing revelations, which could as well serve as a farewell for those involved in the organization, the victim revealed rampant exploitation and widespread racial discrimination at the company.
“I was fired from my job at KOKO Networks after I spoke up against racism in the organization.
I started working at KOKO in June 2022.
They forced me to resign on 16th Sept 2022 (my birthday).
I am going to sue for wrongful termination.
My boss, Alexander King, is what I can only describe as a white supremacist.
He told me to my face that he doesn’t take advice from low-paid Africans.
So when I escalated to HR, it turned out that our HR has a massive white saviour complex.
She asked me to resign saying the COO Matt Schiller said he didn’t care about cultural issues.
A white manager at KOKO earns $45,000 while a black manager earns $8,000,” the victim sadly lamented in a message shared on social media by renowned Kenyan-Canadian lawyer Dr. Miguna Miguna.
KOKO Networks is a foreign company operating in Kenya with 800 employees. The CEO, Greg Murray, and ALL SENIOR MANAGERS except 3 junior managers are Black Africans. Caucasian employees earn 1000% more than their Kenyan counterparts. Racism at KOKO must come to an end. @AusHCKenya pic.twitter.com/9m9BRvIsL3
— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) November 16, 2022
In Kenya, where slavery under Caucasian firms is still rampant, perpetrators found guilty of such acts are quickly deported.
If such precedent is anything to go by, KOKO Networks boss Mr. Alexander King and COO Matt Schiller ought to receive equal treatment and be shown the doors out of the country.
This is one among many cases of racial discrimination that has taken place within the Kenyan territory and the perpetrators have been deported, and if these claims are to go by, Mr. Alexander King and COO Matt Schiller should follow suit.
Truth be told, their actions represent the secret values of the organization when operating on African soil.
Black managers receiving almost four times less pay than their white counterparts is the purest form of labour exploitation.
This payment disparity is clearly a result of racial discrimination.
From comments seen on social media, this sad predicament is not only affecting in-house staff, but also external KOKO agents.
One netizen described the company as “generally exploitative”, and disclosed that some agents receive commissions of less than Sh3k per month, yet they have to bear the hefty costs of rent and electricity bills for their “Koko Points”.
“As a country, we need a firm law that guarantees fairness across the board for staff working for foreign organizations,” an angry Kenyan wrote.
“I got a job in this company and declined immediately after seeing the contract. Poor pay,” another added.
“We will not allow racism in our own land by foreigners. Should we endure racism both abroad and at home?” a netizen asked.
This type of employment with skewed terms based on race is getting common.
There is a common belief that behind the white faces, there’s a powerful Kenyan shareholder.
