The multi-agency security operation to rid the North Rift of banditry and cattle rustling has come under the spotlight after a group of National Youth Service recruits engaged to construct schools decried alleged breach of contract and non-payment of their allowances.
At least 50 NYS recruits (now servicemen) are demanding a total of Sh3 million in unpaid allowances accrued for four months.
Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) was launched in 2013 to address the insecurity in Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu counties.
It was spearheaded by the multi-agency security team encompassing the Kenya Defence Forces, General Service Unit, Anti Sock Theft Unit, regular police, and National Police Reservists.
The recruits who were incorporated in the operation in February 2023 have accused the managers of the operation of subjecting them to unfair labour practices after breaching their contract by withholding their remuneration and extending the contract period against their wish.
Speaking to Nation on condition of anonymity, one serviceman based in Nakuru revealed that they were engaged in the operation as skilled personnel to assist the Kenya Defense Forces in the construction of schools in Baringo as part of the operation's objective to end militia activities in the area by opening it up for development.
The first group of NYS recruits that was due for attachment was deployed in the region to serve in various capacities, including masonry, plumbing, and electrical works.
The affected servicemen claimed they were supposed to work for three months with an agreement of getting Sh15,000 in monthly allowance.
“We were still waiting to proceed to our attachment areas after finishing our exams when we received text messages recalling us to the college. We were then redeployed to the various operation counties where construction of schools was being done by the KDF,” he said.
Upon reporting to the stations, the source said the NYS tradesmen had demanded a Sh 1,000 daily allowance but the officers in charge convinced them to take half of the money.
He claimed they received the first payment after working for two months which was sent to their respective bank accounts as a bulk transfer.
Documents seen by the Nation show the said the servicemen (no single servicewoman was involved) were distributed to build various schools— including Chesitet, Chepkesin, Kositei, Koloa, Kapindasum, Arabal, Pura, Mukutani, Sambalat, Lomelo, Chemoril primary schools and Kapendo secondary school.
According to the sources, the NYS tradesmen were asked to continue working even after the expiry of the three months as they waited for their last salary.
“We thought the money would be sent after another two months but that was not the case. We continued working as we waited for payment until it reached six months,” said the serviceman.
The servicemen lamented that the extension of time ate into their school calendar where they missed the entire term lesson and had to down tools to force their return to the college.
Since then, they have never received the remaining payment for the four months that they worked.
They further lamented the difficult environment in which they were subjected during the period of the operation which they claim ought to have been compensated commensurably.
According to another serviceman from Bomet County, they were required to report to work at 6 in the morning and work continuously to 5 pm every day.
“We used to have breakfast from 5.15 am before we reported to work at 6 am. We would work non-stop until 5 pm. Lunch was served at the site meaning there was no room to walk out of the site. We did all kinds of work irrespective of our skills,” he said.
He also explained the security risk they face in the bandit-infested region which he said was a constant worry to them.
“We knew the area was infested with bandits but we did not know that it was a constant war zone. The blast of the guns was a common phenomenon and sometimes the bullets would fall into the site,” he said.
He regretted that the tradesmen had to call back home for financial support when they lacked basic needs such as the personal effects, airtime among other things.
According to him, the servicemen raised the concerns with the KDF officers who were supervising the projects but every time the officers kept on promising to follow up with the issue but without any result.
Back at Gilgil, the then recruits raised their issue with their bosses who took their names and details which they claimed to forward to those charged with the payment.
It is now more than a year since the NYS servicemen left the site but the money is yet to be released. Some have already left the college and are in the process of looking for employment.
“I had planned to use the money to start my own project here at home but now I am forced to look for the money elsewhere which has proved to be very difficult.
We reached out to KDF for a comment, but they distanced themselves from the accusations claiming not to be responsible for the NYS teams’ complaints.
KDF Spokesperson, Brigadier Paul Njuguna, responded to our WhatsApp message through a KDF public information officer who said that NYS is in a better position to respond on the matter.
The officer further added that Operation Maliza Uhalifu is a multi-agency operation with various actors ranging from NPS, KDF, County Government, NYS, Ministry of Interior, NGAO, Tourism, Church and as such, KDF cannot respond to the concerns raised.
KDF further stated: "On NYS payment, it would be paramount you visit their HQs to understand their incorporation into the operation. This way you will get the real picture."
We spoke to Loise Koech, the NYS Paramilitary Academy Director in Gilgil who referred us to her boss, Commandant General James Tembur who neither received our calls nor responded to our text messages.
