Not Again! 300 Employees Set To Lose Jobs as Cadbury Kenya Shuts Down

By Jane Okoth,

The rate at which industries in Kenya are shutting down is very alarming as close to 10 companies have permanently shut down this year.

The heavy burden remains on the common employees who had sought employment in the mentioned companies.

In a recent article run by the daily nation, Cadbury Kenya is planning to close down its manufacturing plant in Nairobi this month.

This comes after Eveready East Africa also decided to close its plant in Nakuru leaving 100 employees jobless.

The closure of Cadbury Kenya also leaves 300 employees without jobs even if they are to be compensated as stated by the company.

Ms Navisha Bechan-Sewkuran, the firm’s corporate and government affairs lead for Southern, Central and Eastern Africa said that, “The decision has been taken after careful consideration and extensive due diligence, and allows Cadbury Kenya to invest in creating a more commercially focused business in East Africa, with Kenya as its hub.”

Other manufacturers in the country that have closed production lines include Kenya Breweries, Reckitt Benckiser, Procter & Gamble, Bridgestone, Colgate Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson and Unilever.

This trend should raise a red flag to the government as it has the responsibility of creating an enabling environment for new and existing investors to operate leading to creation of more jobs, a major boost in the economy.

“This is very serious and also sad. The government needs to address this matter as soon as possible,” says Marcus Njoroge, a PSV driver in the CBD.

“Every time I read a newspaper it is always about a company shutting down. Why are they doing so and is it the government’s fault?” he asks.

“This is an indication that something is seriously wrong somewhere.”

“How will I know if I am going to be one of the next victims? If major and respected companies like Eveready East Africa and Cadbury Kenya are closing then why not mine?” asks Erastus Mutua a casual worker at a tea factory in the country.

“If investors are shying away from us, then that problem should be fixed. The fact that they operate inside the country does provide us with jobs. It’s a win-win situation.” He adds.

“My heart goes out to the 300 plus employees who will lose their jobs as a result of this closure.” says Lillian Achieng, a final year student at a public university.

“What next for us all? I think that is why many of our brothers and sisters are opting to travel to foreign countries to work. Honestly what future for employment do I have if I complete my studies” she questions.

What are your thoughts on the closure of these manufacturing companies?

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