Royal Mabati Factory Ltd customers on April 1 camped at the company in Athi River, to demand compensation for non-delivered iron sheets.
Investigations by the Star revealed there were 20 clients whose iron sheets had not been delivered.
The clients had been visiting the premises daily.
Clinton, a customer said he had paid Sh76,000 in full but had not received the product. He said most times his calls went answered.
He said he ordered iron sheets from the company last year. They were to be delivered at his home in Kisii.
“I cleared with them on January 26 and was told to wait for two weeks for them to be delivered. After two weeks, I came back and was told that the materials were not yet in the country,” Clinton said.
“They told me to wait for one month or claim my money which would take 60 working days. The customer care desk told me, the materials would be in the country in 26 days.”
Caleb Apondo, the general manager, said several clients had not been supplied with the iron sheets, but as a company, they were handling the complaints.
Apondo said they were awaiting shipment of raw materials to make the iron sheets which he said, had run out, slowing the production process.
Raphael Kinyua said he was forced to purchase iron sheets from another company after Royal Mabati failed to deliver the product.
According to the documents seen by the Star, Kinyua had paid Sh90,773.
He has since been pleading with the company’s management to refund his cash. The iron sheets were to be delivered to him in Nyeri.
“I bought iron sheets on January 10 and was told they would be delivered in seven days. After seven days, I called the company and was told to wait for another seven days,” Kinyua said.
“When I came here, the company said they were clearing December backlog. On March 4, we were taken to the company’s boardroom and the management promised to refund our money within seven days.”
He said they filled out some forms but when he came for the cheque, it had not been signed.
Kinyua said he later ordered iron sheets at Ruiru Mabati and were delivered immediately.
Elizabeth said she placed her order in January and paid Sh115,400 for iron sheets.
“I was told the iron sheets would be delivered within one week. They later told me my preferred colour was not available and they changed it,” Elizabeth said.
“They told me they were supposed to release my iron sheets. But nobody was picking up my calls. I travelled from Homa Bay.”
She said the company should either give her iron sheets or refund the money.
The clients said the delay had caused them more losses some opting to purchase the products from alternative firms.
Athi River subcounty criminal investigations officer John Kanda said the affected clients should lodge formal complaints with the police for action.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
