nyambura kinyori

@PichaBooth

Nairobi, Kenya

Joined March 2011

379 Following

230 Followers

633 Posts

PichaBooth retweeted

Nyakundi Report

@NyakundiReport

3 months ago

🚨 Inside Growing Turmoil at Kenya Women and Children Wellness Centre❗ Labour relations, donor accountability and workplace conduct within Kenya’s non-profit sector have come into focus after fresh complaints emerged from a Nairobi-based gender and child protection organisation, with staff members, contractors and former workers describing a pattern of intimidation, salary cuts, hostile management practices and misuse of donor-backed resources. The Kenya Women and Children Wellness Centre (KWCWC), which runs a gender-based violence recovery and shelter programme in Nairobi, is now under review by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection following complaints lodged by workers over what the ministry described as possible labour rights violations and unlawful restructuring. A letter dated May 5, 2026 from the State Department for Labour and Skills Development confirms that the labour office had received complaints touching on verbal abuse, harassment of workers, salary deductions, coercion to resign, irregular restructuring and pressure on employees to approve questionable financial transactions. The communication, signed on behalf of the Commissioner for Labour by Albert N. Sakwa, states that officers from the ministry may visit the organisation “at any time” to examine the situation and the restructuring process being undertaken by the institution. The ministry also questioned why the organisation had not filed any formal restructuring notification as required under Section 40 of the Employment Act. Staff members who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation described a workplace marked by tension, intimidation and repeated exits by employees. Several workers said management had created an environment where dissent or questioning financial decisions attracted punishment through isolation, public humiliation, hostile emails and abrupt salary cuts. Two male staff members currently employed at the institution told this publication they had experienced what they termed targeted victimisation within an organisation they say has become hostile toward male employees. One worker claimed his salary had been reduced by more than 45% after refusing pressure to resign. The workers further claimed that at least four employees are currently under pressure to leave the organisation through what they termed constructive dismissal tactics. At the centre of the complaints are senior management officials led by founder Pauline Mumbi and Vice President Donald Miyazaki, a Philippines-born executive based in the United States, whom staff members accuse of shielding questionable financial decisions while silencing dissent within the organisation. The organization, which positions itself as a safe space for survivors of gender-based violence and vulnerable children, is also under criticism over conditions within its shelter programme. Workers and former staff members claimed some children housed at the facility remain at the shelter for prolonged periods without attending school and, in certain cases, against their wishes. Sources familiar with operations at the shelter said some survivors had attempted to flee the premises by climbing over the perimeter fence after experiencing emotional distress and strict controls within the facility. Two separate escape incidents were cited by staff members interviewed for this story. Independent verification of those incidents was not immediately available. Questions have also emerged over medical operations at the institution’s clinic. Employees familiar with the facility claimed the clinic had operated for an extended period without a licensed pharmacy, a qualified pharmacist or a certified medical doctor. The same sources said two children were at one point administered incorrect medication and later developed serious complications. Health regulatory agencies had not publicly commented on the matter by publication time. Beyond labour and welfare complaints, the organisation is also under pressure over management of donor funding from local and international partners supporting survivor programmes. Workers claimed donor funds intended for survivor support activities were redirected toward executive expenses, vehicle use and per diem payments for senior officials. Donors named by sources included Tiko and CREAW, both of which support programmes connected to sexual and gender-based violence response. No evidence was publicly availed showing diversion of funds, and the donor organisations had not issued public statements regarding the claims. Current and former workers further described what they termed a “witch-hunt culture” within the organisation, where employees raising financial or governance questions were targeted through transfers, intimidation or termination. The complaints arrive at a time when Kenyan civil society organisations are under growing pressure from regulators and donors to strengthen governance, labour compliance and safeguarding standards, particularly within institutions working with children and survivors of abuse. Contractors linked to the construction of the organisation’s gender-based violence centre have also entered the dispute. Sources connected to the project claimed some contractors had not received full payment for completed works linked to the facility established on land donated by the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa). Among firms mentioned by sources were Cementers, identified as the main contractor, and Trident Plumbers, both said to have pursued pending dues for months without success. The contractors themselves had not publicly commented by the time of publication. The GBV centre was initially envisioned as a support facility for vulnerable women and children seeking counselling, shelter and rehabilitation services. Workers now say the institution has drifted from its original mission due to internal management wrangles, staff turnover and strained labour relations. Several employees have described rapid staff exits over the past year, linking the departures to poor working conditions, management pressure and instability within departments handling finance, shelter operations and administration. The Labour Ministry letter also pointed to complaints that employees were being required to undertake duties outside finance policy guidelines and questioned the hiring of human resource personnel said to lack professional qualifications. The unfolding dispute now places KWCWC under dual pressure from labour authorities and growing scrutiny from staff members demanding reforms in governance, accountability and workplace conduct. It remains unclear whether the ministry’s planned inspection will lead to enforcement action or mediation between management and workers. For now, employees who spoke to this publication say many workers remain fearful of speaking publicly due to possible retaliation and job loss, while donors and regulators are being urged to review operations at the organisation more closely. "Hello Cyprian. Trust you are well. Please hide my identity. Can you help expose what is happening at the Kenya Women and Children Wellness Centre (KWCWC), where male employees are subjected to an unconducive working environment, humiliation, embarrassment, verbal abuse and underpayment by a Philippine US-based Vice President? There is high staff turnover, misuse of donor funds, salary deductions and forced exits without following due process. USIU donated land to KWCWC for the establishment of a GBV Centre. The centre has turned into a tormenting facility for both staff and survivors. Contractors are not being paid their full contract sums. For example, the main contractor who built the facility, Cementers, and Trident Plumbers have been fighting to get their dues with no success and have faced intimidation from the founder. Children are being forced to overstay at the shelter without going to school and against their will. The Roysambu area chief is aware of this. Survivors are also forced to stay there against their will due to physical, emotional and other forms of abuse, forcing some to escape over the fence. There have been two such cases. The clinic has been operating for a long time without a pharmacy licence, a pharmatech or a qualified doctor. They have been dispensing medicine without proper oversight, and two children were given wrong medication which almost killed them. Both the shelter and the clinic are run and managed by unqualified people. There is high staff turnover due to harsh, unconducive and poor working conditions. Donors such as Tiko and CREAW fund specific survivor activities, but the money ends up fueling directors’ vehicles and paying themselves per diems instead of helping survivors. There is also a witch-hunt against any employee who raises questions about the management of donor funds. The facility does not follow due process and keeps forcing people to resign if they ask the right questions. Currently, four staff members are being forced out. When they refused to resign, their salaries were reduced by more than 45 per cent. They are now being harassed through isolation, embarrassment and humiliating emails. Vice President Donald Miyazaki is protecting Pauline Mumbi while donor funds are being misused and opposing voices are silenced through intimidation, harassment and constructive dismissal. The feminism at the organisation is so extreme that men are not wanted and are treated badly. Out of 18 staff members, only two are male, and they are currently being victimised and subjected to salary cuts so that they can leave. Donors are not getting value for their money, and funds are not being used for the intended purposes. On the labour issues, the Labour Office has already sent them a letter after a staff member was dismissed on the spot after working for only one month. The letter references labour rights violations, verbal abuse, harassment, unfair salary deductions, coercion of employees to resign or take pay cuts, irregular restructuring and pressure on employees to approve irregular financial transactions. Please investigate this matter thoroughly because many employees and survivors are suffering in silence out of fear of retaliation."

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