KEDA Ceramics in Miwani Faces Fresh Scandal: Accused of Orchestrating Scheme to Defraud Government Amid Ongoing Controversies

In the sprawling industrial hub of Miwani, Kisumu County, KEDA Ceramics International has long positioned itself as an economic boon, boasting a $50 million investment and over 800 jobs since its grand opening in August 2022.

The factory, a producer of Twyford tiles, sanitary ware, and fast-moving consumer goods, was heralded as a beacon of progress.

Yet, beneath the glossy façade lies a festering scandal that paints the company as a merciless exploiter of its workforce and a cunning manipulator of regulatory oversight.

As allegations of labour rights abuses, racial discrimination, and community neglect pile up, the latest twist reveals KEDA Ceramics orchestrating an elaborate deception to hoodwink ISO inspectors scheduled to visit next week—an act that could cement its reputation as a corporate villain in Kenya’s industrial landscape.

Labour Abuses

For weeks, whispers of discontent from KEDA’s Miwani factory have grown into a roar. Workers, many of whom toil under grueling conditions, have come forward with harrowing accounts of exploitation.

Reports indicate that 12-hour shifts are commonplace, yet only 195 hours are logged as standard working time—despite employees routinely clocking 225 hours monthly.

The discrepancy translates to withheld compensation, a practice that has left workers financially strained and voiceless. “They know we need these jobs,” one anonymous employee lamented. “They tell us there are plenty of desperate people waiting to take our place.”

The accusations don’t end there. Complaints of racial discrimination and physical mistreatment by supervisors have surfaced repeatedly, with a culture of fear permeating the factory floor.

Workers claim they face threats of dismissal for raising grievances, while internal mechanisms for redress are allegedly brushed aside by a management indifferent to their plight.

These practices, if proven, stand in stark violation of Kenya’s labour laws and international occupational safety standards—laws meant to protect the very workers KEDA employs.

Community Outrage

Beyond the factory gates, KEDA Ceramics has drawn the ire of Miwani residents. Heavy-duty trucks rumbling to and fro have left local roads in disrepair, a constant grievance for a community that feels neglected by the company’s presence.

Hiring practices have further stoked tensions, with allegations that Kisumu locals are sidelined in favor of workers from outside the county.

Protests have erupted as residents demand accountability, accusing KEDA of reaping profits while leaving the region to bear the burden of its operations.

The ISO Deception Unveiled

Now, as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) prepares to inspect the factory for certification, KEDA’s management appears desperate to bury its scandals under a veneer of compliance.

Insiders have exposed a meticulously planned cover-up designed to mislead inspectors and secure the coveted certification.

Workers claim they’ve been issued branded T-shirts to wear during the visit, a superficial gesture meant to project unity and satisfaction.

A select group of employees, dubbed “sellouts” by their peers, have allegedly been coached to deliver glowing testimonies about fair pay and reasonable hours—claims that starkly contradict the reality of 12-hour shifts and unpaid overtime.

The deception runs deeper. Specific workers have been stationed along the inspection route with strict instructions to smile and stay silent, creating an illusion of a harmonious workplace.

A memo dated February 21, 2025, instructs resident workers not to hang clothes outside between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM from February 24 to 26—dates coinciding with the inspection—ostensibly to present a tidy, orderly image.

New dining structures have sprung up overnight, with employees ordered to eat in shifts to feign regular lunch breaks, despite long-standing complaints of being denied such respite.

“What great iniquity is this,” one worker wrote in a plea for help, “that a Black man is happy to exploit his Black man?”

The threats, as always, loom large. Employees have been warned that speaking truthfully to inspectors will result in termination—a chilling reminder of the intimidation that has silenced dissent within KEDA’s walls.

Workers are not taking this lying down. They’ve urged the ISO team to ditch the scripted tour and conduct an unannounced, impartial assessment that pierces through the staged charade.

Their demands extend beyond the inspection, calling on a coalition of authorities—the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Federation of Kenya Employers, the Central Organization of Trade Unions, the National Assembly’s Labour Committee, and Kisumu County’s labour offices—to launch a comprehensive investigation into KEDA’s practices.

They seek independent audits of wage records, anonymous testimonies to shield whistleblowers, and strict enforcement of labour laws.

The Senate and the Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) have also been implored to probe management’s coercion tactics and scrutinize whether government agencies have failed in their oversight duties.

Labour rights groups, civil society organizations, and international watchdogs are being rallied to amplify the pressure, with workers emphasizing the need for transparent, enforceable solutions—not just another superficial inspection.

KEDA Ceramics, for its part, has yet to publicly address these latest allegations.

The company’s initial investment and job creation cannot be dismissed outright; it has undeniably contributed to Kisumu’s economy.

However, economic benefits do not excuse systemic exploitation or the erosion of workers’ rights. If the accusations hold true, KEDA’s actions represent a betrayal of the very community it claims to uplift—a calculated ploy to prioritize profit and prestige over human dignity.

As the ISO inspection looms, the spotlight on KEDA Ceramics burns brighter than ever. Will the company succeed in pulling the wool over the inspectors’ eyes, or will this be the moment its house of cards comes crashing down? For the workers of Miwani, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Their fight is not just for fair wages or decent hours—it’s a stand against a system that thrives on their silence. Kenya Insights will continue to monitor this unfolding saga, ensuring the voices of the exploited are heard loud and clear.