There was drama in better part of Wednesday 14 May 2025 as hundreds of workers at the Rai Plywoods in Eldoret downed their tools demanding their two months’ salary.
The employees were blocked from accessing the premises by the company’s management a decision that fueled anger, charged enough to demand for their pay.
Speaking to Kurunzi news, the Eldoret branch employees chairperson, Enock Abas, called out the company for failing to honor the Collective Bargaining Agreement which states that salaries should be paid payment on day two every month.
According to Abas, salary delays have been a problem workers have had to deal with since 2018.
” The fact that we risk our lives in the line of duty and still end up not being paid at the right time is really sad. It is only fair that we be paid for the labor we offer, ” Abas said.
Flora Chebet, one of the long serving employees in Raiply, questioned the availability of insurance of employees stating that employees who obtain injuries in the line of duty have to incur personal costs seeking treatment. A number of workers had to leave their jobs due to complications of injuries.
”As we speak, over 15 retirees went home without being compensated for the injuries they got in the line of duty. It is very difficult to put food on the table with the delayed salaries, not to talk about having to pay for medical bills,”Chebet told Kurunzi News.
The employees revealed that the company owes them over KSh 40 million in salary arrears, insisting that they will not relent in their fight for justice.
Attempt to reach Raiply management was futile.
The workers called upon Uasin Gishu County Leadership to intervene on the matter.
