KFC rubbishes reports of plans to lay off Kenyan workers over Gen Z protests
![KFC rubbishes reports of plans to lay off Kenyan workers over Gen Z protests KFC rubbishes reports of plans to lay off Kenyan workers over Gen Z protests](https://citizentv.obs.af-south-1.myhuaweicloud.com/129883/conversions/KFC-og_image.webp)
File image of a KFC outlet in Kenya. PHOTO | COURTESY
Global fast food franchise Kentucky Fried
Chicken (KFC) has denied reports of laying off workers in Kenya due to the
economic disruptions occasioned by the month-long anti-government
demonstrations.
While taking to their social pages, KFC shot
down a statement that had been doing rounds for the last two days, terming it
fake while also clarifying that the food outlet was not planning to conduct any
layoffs whatsoever.
According to the doctored statement, KFC had
decided to take action due to the street turmoil which had made business
difficult and provided the company with insurmountable challenges in its bid to
run its Nairobi stores.
The fake statement read in part: "The
ongoing protests in the city and other parts of the Country have significantly
impacted our ability to conduct business."
"Despite our best efforts to navigate
these challenges, the situation has resulted in considerable disruptions to our
daily operations and has caused substantial financial strain on the company.
"After careful consideration and
exhaustive exploration of all available options, we regret to inform you that
the company will be implementing a round of layoffs."
Now, KFC has clarified the matter, adding
that no such employee actions were in place.
"KFC is aware of the post relating to
employee layoffs circulating on social media. We can confirm that this letter
is indeed fake and that the alleged employee actions are not being taken by our
Franchise Partner in Kenya," the franchise said in a statement.
KFC's supposed 'layoffs' are actually an
irony considering that, at the onset of the nationwide protests, Kikuyu Member
of Parliament Kimani Ichung'wah claimed that Gen Z protesters were a well-heeled
group of young people arriving for protests in Ubers, shooting content with
their iPhones and retreating to the nearest KFC for lunch.
The fake KFC statement started doing rounds
just a week after Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura claimed that the nation had lost over Ksh.6 billion due to the wave of protests experienced in the past
month.
"We cannot forget the business people
who suffered losses worth billions of shillings as their businesses remained
closed. We wish to empathise with them as they strive to recoup their lost
incomes. Overall, the country has lost approximately Ksh.6 billion as a result
of demonstrations, according to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)," he
said.
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