Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL), a government entity operating under the Ministry of Defence, has dismissed allegations that it has declined to pay its workers.
The agency’s main role includes managing shipyards by constructing and carrying out repair works on ships in Mombasa, Kisumu, and the broader East African region.
In a brief statement on Tuesday, March 11, the agency flagged a viral social media post shared by a popular X blogger, which claimed it had refused to clear November 2024 salary arrears for several employees.
According to the flagged post, civilian workers at KSL, while demanding payment of their November 2024 salaries, accused the management of deliberately withholding their wages despite repeated appeals.
The post further claimed that, despite efforts by the affected workers—mostly from Kisumu and Homa Bay—to reach out to the company’s leadership, they were ignored.
“The civilian workers demanding the salary for November 2024 have made numerous requests to the CEO of Kenya Shipyards, but he has heartlessly refused to pay these workers,” read part of the flagged post.
“He ignores them largely because he is a military officer, but the good work of this company isn't visible without the efforts and contribution of the civilian workers,” the fake social media post added.
While clarifying the allegations, Kenya Shipyards Limited dismissed the information shared on social media as fabricated, with no verifiable facts or sources.
“Members of the public are hereby informed that the information circulating on social media about non-payment of salaries by Kenya Shipyards Limited is fabricated,” KSL noted.
It went on to add, “The post has no verifiable facts or sources. The public is therefore advised to ignore the fake news being circulated online.”
However, despite KSL dismissing the allegations, Defence Cabinet Secretary Siopan Tuya is yet to respond to the matter, despite public concerns that the issue could taint the reputation of the ministry.
Meanwhile, the entity, which was established in 2020, is primarily run by the Kenya Navy. According to data from the National Treasury, KSL has employed more than 1,000 staff, most of whom are based in Kisumu and Mombasa.
