Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called for urgent investigations into alleged mistreatment, racism, and unlawful termination of contracts at Chandarana-Foodplus supermarket, particularly at its Diani branch.
Speaking in the Senate, Sifuna said his office had received serious complaints from workers detailing harassment, discrimination, and unfair dismissal by the retail chain’s management.
“Mr. Speaker, my office has received disturbing complaints of mistreatment, racism, and unlawful termination of contracts,” he told the House. “It is a clear sign of poor welfare and illegality in one of the biggest supermarket chains in the country.”
The Senator has sought a statement from the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, urging them to look into the alleged violations and ensure affected workers are protected.
He stressed the importance of safeguarding the rights of low-income earners. “It is immoral to expect national growth without nurturing our labour force. We must treat our workers with dignity, not as disposable tools,” he said.
Sifuna further urged the Ministry of Labour, trade unions, and elected leaders to take a stand. “Fear of victimization has silenced many victims. We must close that gap by standing with the underprivileged,” he said, adding that the supermarket’s management should “urgently address these complaints, not just at Diani but across all branches.”
He also blamed weak enforcement of labour laws for the continued exploitation of workers and called on Parliament to act.
“Together, we must tighten legislation and safeguard our workforce from further exploitation,” Sifuna said.
“We cannot allow this cancer to metastasize. Let us act decisively to protect the goose that lays the golden egg.”