Tension is rising in Lokichar town after cleaning workers employed under Ekales Company Ltd threatened to down their tools, citing poor working conditions and non-payment of salaries for the past three years.
The workers, who have been maintaining cleanliness in the oil-rich town, accused the company’s management of exploitation and neglect, claiming that despite their dedicated service, they have not received their dues or seen any improvement in their working environment.
One of the affected workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimization, said they have endured hardship and humiliation while their repeated pleas for payment have gone unanswered.
“We have families depending on us, yet for three years we have not received a single cent. We clean the town daily, but our suffering continues,” lamented the worker.
Attempts by journalists to seek clarification from the Company’s Lokichar branch were allegedly met with hostility. The local supervisor—who also doubles as a politician and a former nominated Turkana MCA—allegedly dismissed members of the media, accusing them of being “watu wa fitina” (troublemakers) instead of addressing the allegations.
Efforts to reach the company’s senior management for comment were unsuccessful by the time of publishing, after the supervisor denied journalists access to the premises.
The frustrated workers have now issued a stern warning, vowing to stage a peaceful protest and suspend all cleaning services in Lokichar town if their grievances are not addressed immediately.
