Rail workers have threatened industrial action that could disrupt railway services across the country, including operations on key passenger services such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), accusing Kenya Railways management of neglecting employees’ welfare, maintaining low wages and failing to address long-standing labour concerns.

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The Railway Allied Workers Union (RAWU) warned that it could down tools if the concerns raised by workers are not addressed, a move that could affect rail transport services nationwide.

Speaking on behalf of the union, Secretary General Erick Tirop accused Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga of failing to prioritise workers’ welfare, claiming that many employees continue to work under poor conditions while earning salaries that no longer match the rising cost of living.

Tirop further claimed that railway workers remain under an outdated salary structure and that their labour rights continue to be violated, while calling on Mainga to step aside and allow new leadership to take over. He also alleged that the Managing Director’s term expired in January this year.

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"The management and the government have concentrated on infrastructure development, but the welfare of the workforce, which is the backbone of these achievements, has been neglected. Sustainable growth of Kenya Railways cannot be achieved by investing in infrastructure while overlooking the welfare, motivation and dignity of employees who operate the system every day," Tirop said.

RAWU Deputy Secretary General Judith Nafula echoed the concerns, saying railway employees operate train services around the clock and deserve better compensation for the work they do.

"We run train operations for 24 hours a day. The workers need to be remunerated accordingly. We are connecting nations and supporting economic growth, yet our workforce remains demoralised," Nafula said.

Further, the union's National Chairman, Emmanuel Otieno, warned that if Kenya Railways management continues to ignore the workers' demands, the union will pursue legal action and may also mobilise members for industrial action.

"If these demands are met with the usual silence and arrogance from Kenya Railways management, workers will have no option but to seek legal remedies and unleash the full force of our collective power, including industrial action," Otieno said.

The dispute comes as the government intensifies enforcement of the newly gazetted minimum wage, with Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua warning that employers who fail to comply will face inspections.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke