Watu Credit, a microfinance company operating in Kenya, has been making headlines recently for all the wrong reasons.
Whistleblowers are shedding light on a troubling work environment where employees are pushed to their limits—working long hours, weekends, and even holidays, with no overtime pay.
To make matters worse, the company’s CEO, Andris Kaneps, seems to be ignoring the growing complaints, letting this toxic culture thrive under his watch.
According to blogger Cyprian Nyakundi, Staff members, especially in the back office, are speaking out about being forced to work with little regard for their personal time.
One employee shared, “With a salary of just KSh 32,000, we’re expected to work seven days a week, even on holidays, and it’s mandatory.
The worst part is, the Head of Department doesn’t even step in to help us.” Workers are now being told to work through Christmas and New Year’s—days they expected to have off.
The frustration doesn’t stop at long hours. Many employees feel that favoritism is rampant within the company. Redundancies seem to be based more on personal relationships than actual performance, which has left workers feeling expendable. As a result, morale is at an all-time low, and the company is struggling to keep its staff motivated and engaged.
But it’s not just the employees who are suffering. Watu Credit has faced heavy criticism for its predatory lending practices, especially towards low-income groups like boda boda riders. Interest rates can climb as high as 103%, trapping borrowers in a never-ending cycle of debt.
With Kaneps at the helm, Watu Credit’s operations have raised serious questions about its future. The CEO’s apparent indifference to both employee well-being and the financial stability of borrowers has many wondering how long this toxic environment can continue.
