Contract employees at the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) have come forward with serious allegations of unfair treatment, discrimination, and nepotism, claiming that the organization has consistently overlooked long-serving staff in favor of relatives and associates of senior managers and members of the Board of Directors.
The employees, many of whom have served the organization for over 15 years on successive contract terms, say they have been left in a state of uncertainty after their contracts expired without renewal and without any clear communication regarding their future.
The KFS has two main categories of employees: those on permanent and pensionable terms and those on contract.
While permanent staff enjoy job security, pensions, and other benefits, contract employees say they have been treated as second-class workers despite dedicating years of service to the organization.
They allege that the recruitment process is riddled with favoritism, with vacancies being advertised but ultimately filled by relatives and associates of senior managers and Board members.
This, they say, has left qualified and experienced contract staff overlooked time and again.
The most recent round of interviews for various positions within the KFS has only deepened the frustration.
According to the affected employees, the majority of contract staff who applied for the positions were unsuccessful, despite their years of service and commitment to the organization.
Many of them have been working continuously for the KFS for over a decade, yet they were passed over in favor of candidates with no prior experience or track record within the service.
One employee expressed heartbreak at seeing years of hard work go unrecognized, while another argued that the system was broken and destroying lives.
The affected employees are now appealing for transparency, fairness, and accountability in the recruitment process.
They argue that long-serving staff deserve equal and fair consideration for employment opportunities based on merit, rather than favoritism or nepotism.
They are calling on the relevant authorities, including the KFS management, the Public Service Commission (PSC), and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, to investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served.
The employees are also demanding the immediate renewal of their expired contracts and a clear pathway to permanent employment for those who have served the organization for many years.
They warn that if their grievances are not addressed, they will have no choice but to escalate the matter to the courts and the Office of the Ombudsman.
As the workers wait for answers, their livelihoods hang in the balance.
Many have been left without income, unable to provide for their families, pay school fees, or meet their daily needs.
The uncertainty has taken a toll on their mental health and well-being, with some expressing fear that they may never be reinstated.
The KFS management has not yet issued an official response to the allegations.
Attempts to reach the KFS Corporate Communications office for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
The affected employees remain hopeful that by bringing this matter to the attention of the public, the relevant authorities will take action and end the years of neglect and unfair treatment.
They are urging well-wishers, civil society organizations, and the media to stand with them in their fight for justice.
Below is the message submitted by the affected employees detailing the concerns they have raised regarding the Kenya Forest Service recruitment process.
"Hello John. I kindly request that you highlight the plight of contract employees at the Kenya Forest Service. The Kenya Forest Service has two main categories of employees: those on permanent and pensionable terms and those on contract. Unfortunately, contract employees have endured years of unfair treatment despite serving the organization diligently. For many years, we have witnessed vacancies being advertised, only for the positions to be filled by relatives and associates of senior managers and members of the Board, leaving long-serving and qualified contract employees overlooked. Most recently, interviews were conducted for various positions, yet once again, the majority of contract staff were not successful despite our experience and commitment to the organization. Many of us have served the Kenya Forest Service continuously for over 15 years under successive contract terms. Our contracts have now expired and, to date, they have not been renewed, leaving us without jobs or any clear communication regarding our future. We are appealing for transparency, fairness, and accountability in the recruitment process. Long-serving employees who have dedicated years of service to the organization deserve equal and fair consideration for employment opportunities based on merit, rather than favouritism or nepotism. We hope that by bringing this matter to the attention of the public, the relevant authorities will investigate these concerns and ensure that justice is served for all affected employees."
