•The workers also accused Sarrai Group of allegedly importing workers from Uganda to work at the sugar miller, claims the Star could not verify.
•The workers claimed that they had gone for months without pay despite reports of the Uganda-based company taking over operations at the sugar miller.
Image: FILE
Mumias Sugar Company workers on Thursday held protests over delays in payment of their salaries.
The workers also accused Sarrai Group of allegedly importing workers from Uganda to work at the sugar miller, claims the Star could not independently verify.
The workers claimed that they had gone for months without pay despite reports of the Uganda-based company taking over operations at the sugar miller.
“We want arrears to be paid immediately. We also want locals to be allowed to work in the company and Ugandans who were brought in be deported back to their country," Patrick Mutimba, one of the workers, told the media in Kakamega during the protests.
Mutimba, the Mumias Sugar Company Workers Union Chairman, said the company still owes workers Sh2.3 billion.
He said despite committing to clear the arrears through their official bid document, once it took over operations, the Ugandan-company is yet to do so.
“The few Kenyans working inside are working overtime and they are not being compensated,” he said.
The protests come two weeks after Sarrai Group was blocked by appellate court from operating at the Sugar mill.
The gag order is until a case lodged against it is heard and determined.
The ruling meant Sarrai remained locked out of Mumias Sugar premises.
The workers also accused Sarrai Group of breaching agreement that would have seen former workers retained at the company, allegations the Star could not also verify independently.
They said the the agreement signed in December 2021 required Sarrai to absorb former employees once they take over.
“Sarrai Group had agreed to retain the workers and pay them their dues. The workers here are also farmers. They come from this community. Why is the company sidelining them and they are the ones who make this factory operational? “If they are not criminals, why are they operating in darkness. What are they hiding?” one of the workers posed.
The agitated workers also accused the police of colluding with the oppressors by barring them from demanding for their rights through demonstration.
This is after they were blocked from holding a meeting yet, they claim, they had a permit.
“Two weeks ago, we got a permit to demonstrate but the police today came and disbursed us. They have colluded with Sarrai to deny us our right of demonstration,” Mutimba said.
The Star was yet access Sarrai for comments on the allegations. We endeavor to give their side of story as soon as we get them.
The group now wants president William Ruto intervene and have their concerns addressed.
"President Ruto if indeed you care so much about hustlers then please come to our rescue. Hustlers in Mumias are suffering and some dying. President Ruto you promised to get suitable investor for Mumias. Our dear President! Time is Now! Come and deal with corruption in Mumias that is causing we the hustlers to suffer," said Mutimba.
Other Concerns raised by the workers include statutory deductions including NHIF, NSSF being not remitted.
They also said they have no medical cover. According to them, it is up-to a worker in case of any injury or accident.