Dominion Farms Limited, an American agricultural products firm based in Yala, Siaya County, has announced that it has suspended operations in the country.
The company has already sent out termination letters to its 350 employees, citing a 'difficult business environment'.
The letter reads in part: “This is to notify you that Dominion Farms Ltd, will suspend its operations with immediate effect from 10 November 2017.
“This is because of the hard time the company has passed through and the difficult business environment existing in the country. We hope that the company will stabilise and reopen soon,” it continued.
The letters were signed by the company's Chief Executive Officer, Calvin Burges.
The employees are, however, up in arms over Sh350 Million owed to them in salary arrears.
[caption caption="A sign leading to Dominion Farms Headquarters"]
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Fred Akula, a supervisor at the company, stated: “We are yet to receive an official communication from the company on how we will be paid our salary arrears. We demand immediate payment of our salaries.”
He further declared that they would stage a protest at the company's premises on Monday if their demand is not met.
“As far as we are concerned the company can make this move upon clearing all its accrued benefits to employees. We will camp at the company’s premises from Monday next week until all our dues are settled,” Akula declared.
In February of this year, Mr Burges caused a stir after he called a press briefing at Six-Eighty Hotel in Nairobi where he alleged that National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga was frustrating his business through extortion.
NASA, however, rubbished his claims and further alleged that he was serving the interests of Odinga's political detractors.
[caption caption="A Dominion Farms rice field"]
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