Casual Workers at Ruto’s 1,000-Acre Ranch Protest over Delayed Salaries

Casual workers at Deputy President William Ruto’s expansive farm in Mata, Taita Taveta County on Monday downed their tools over the non-payment of their wages. 

Nation reports that the workers held a protest outside Kisima farm’s gate, demanding the immediate payment of their salaries of six weeks.

They accused the farm’s management of giving empty promises and vowed to remain on strike until they receive their dues.

"We see that business is going on well and the company is not facing any financial crisis. We will not return to work until our salaries are paid," said Alex Saidi, a worker at the farm.

Another worker Fred Mashauri decried low wages, saying they receive between Sh300 and Sh500 per day. He also lamented not being absorbed as a permanent employee despite working on the farm for five years.

"I have been a casual worker all those years but there are no hopes of being employed permanently. The management is non-committal on this matter," he told the daily.

The workers also complained about alleged inhumane treatment from the farm’s manager Arie Dempers, who was arrested by police in 2019 for storming into a local mosque armed with a firearm and disrupting a prayer service.  

"He tells us that if we don't want to work we should leave. He is very hostile to the workers," Mashauri claimed.

The manager could not be reached for comment on the matter as calls and messages sent to his phone went unanswered.

Dempers, a South African national, was also accused of diverting water into the farm at the expense of the neighboring community.  

Ruto is said to have acquired the 1,000-acre farm from former Taveta MP Basil Criticos. He grows maize and rears cattle in the ranch.