Parliament has summoned the owners of troubled Uchumi Supermarkets over the non-payment of salary arrears, gratuity, and other terminal benefits owed to former staff.
The National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee said the supermarket’s owners will be required to explain why they are proceeding to open new branches while failing to settle former employees’ dues.
Committee chairperson and Runyenjes MP Eric Karemba made the remarks after meeting former Uchumi Supermarkets staff who have petitioned Parliament to intervene and secure payment of their terminal benefits.
“We have heard you, and I assure you we will get the job done. We will invite the owners of Uchumi to explain all the issues you have raised in this petition,” Mr Karemba said.
“We will ask them the amount owed, why they have not settled the dues, and why they are opening new branches as you have alleged before they settle your debts.”
The committee is currently scrutinising a petition filed by Philomena Oburenyi and Alois Mukoma, chairperson and secretary of the former Uchumi Staff Welfare Association, who complained of prolonged delays in payment of salary arrears and terminal dues owed to former employees.
The petitioners said that despite engagements with administrators, courts, and processes under the Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), their claims remain unresolved.
They added that commitments made under the CVA to settle staff claims have not been honoured, despite repeated reminders and protests by former employees.
They further alleged that lease proceeds from tenants occupying company premises, including payments reportedly made by China Square, have been diverted to other uses instead of settling staff claims.
“That lack of transparency and accountability in decision-making is affecting staff welfare. Certain directives issued during the last Annual General Meeting by the CVA monitor have not been implemented, and affected employees have not been adequately consulted,” Mr Oburenyi said in the petition.
He added that delays in settlement have left many former employees unable to provide for their families, meet medical expenses, or support their children’s education.
The petitioners also told lawmakers that some former Uchumi employees have died before receiving their dues.
They urged the National Assembly to intervene, ensure transparency in the management of lease proceeds and company assets, and establish a clear timeline and mechanism for settling all outstanding CVA obligations.
Appearing before the committee on June 23, 2026, the petitioners accused Uchumi management of forcing them to sign terminal agreements without being shown how their final dues were calculated.
They argued that the computation was inaccurate as it excluded statutory deductions such as pensions and Sacco contributions.
