Vincent Chepkwony, a guard deployed at Java’s Kimathi Street branch under Hatari Security Group, has responded to claims by the company that he was not fired but had absconded duties.
Chepkwony came into the limelight after an incident where he was seen shielding anti-government protestors at a Java outlet in Nairobi on June 18, 2024.
Elisha Kirui, a controller from the company alleged that Vincent had been absent from work since 25th June and only reported on Monday, July 8.
He further stated that the company tried to reinstate him, but he decided to leave and had not been fired.
However, while speaking to The Kenya Times on Tuesday, July 9, Vincent refuted the claims saying that he had not boycotted his work but was on a two-week leave that started on June 24 and ended on Sunday, July 7.
“I didn’t refuse to report to work; I was on leave that started on June 24, which was supposed to end on July 7, and I was scheduled to return to work on July 8,” he explained.
Vincent Chepkwony Refutes Company’s Claims
Chepkwony recounted that his supervisor called him on July 8 for a meeting and asked him to bring along his security uniforms.
Upon arrival, the supervisor inquired why Chepkwony had not reported to work for a period of two weeks, and he responded that he was on his leave.
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“I told him that everyone was aware that I was away for a short period of time and even before I left, there was already a person to stand in for me,” he said.
“When we met at the electricity site, the supervisor asked me to hand over my security uniforms and told me that I had been fired.”
After being told that he had been fired, Vincent Chepkwony called the Hatari Security General Manager for an explanation, but his efforts were futile.
“I called the General Manager, but he did not pick up my calls. I decided to send text messages, but all was in vain,” he said.
Chepkwony further stated that after the reports circulated on social media about his sacking, the General Manager called him to ask why he had not informed him about the sacking.
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He explained that he had called and texted several times, but he did not receive any response.
Vincent alleges that the company denied the allegations after his firing sparked an uproar, with users on social media expressing disappointment and intending to take legal action against the company.
The guard had earlier reported that the security company terminated his contract due to the protests.
Hatari Company Responds
His response comes after Hatari Company in a statement disputed claims that Chepkwony was fired.
“We Hatari Security Services are seized by a claim about one of our employees a security guard named Vincent, assigned to one of our customers. The claim is that his services have been terminated,” the statement reads in part.
“We wish to set the record straight by confirming that he is still an employee of Hatari Security Group, and we always stand by any reasonable actions and contractual obligations. Any reassignments are done in consultation with our employees per our internal policies and procedures and employment and labor.”
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