A Kenyan national working in Juba, South Sudan, has accused businesswoman Ann Kathure Rutere of allegedly withholding wages and subjecting workers to prolonged payment disputes, as he appeals to Kenyan authorities to intervene.
The worker, who says he is still living in Juba, came forward after seeing reports concerning Rutere and businesses associated with her. He claims his experience is not isolated and alleges that several other Kenyans have faced similar payment disputes.
“I am a victim of the same situation and I am still here in Juba,” he said.
According to the worker, disputes allegedly arise after employees complete their work or individuals fulfil business arrangements. He claims efforts to secure payment can become difficult, with some affected individuals allegedly being advised to pursue their claims through the courts.
He further alleges that since joining the company, he has encountered more than seven Kenyans who complained about delayed or unpaid payments.
Some, he said, had established careers in Kenya before relocating to South Sudan in search of better employment opportunities.
“These are people who left Kenya with the expectation that they were coming to work and build better lives. Some of them had successful careers before coming here,” he said.
The Kenyan further claimed that prolonged payment disputes can leave workers under severe financial pressure because many depend entirely on their salaries for accommodation, food and other basic expenses while living abroad.
He alleged that some affected workers eventually find themselves struggling to raise enough money to survive or even travel back to Kenya.
“These situations can push someone to a point where they have very little control over their own circumstances,” he said.
The worker also raised allegations concerning psychological pressure during payment disputes, claiming some workers were made to question whether their financial difficulties resulted from their own attitudes despite allegedly going for months without receiving expected payments.
He further raised concerns involving Pacific Petroleum and its operations in South Sudan, calling on relevant authorities to examine allegations surrounding the company and its business dealings.
The source also expressed frustration over what he described as inadequate assistance for Kenyans who have sought intervention through diplomatic channels in Juba. He urged the Kenyan government and relevant agencies to pay greater attention to employment disputes involving Kenyan nationals working in South Sudan.
“We are just praying that maybe the government will intervene because the situation here is really tough,” he said.
He said speaking publicly was an attempt to draw attention to workers who feel they have exhausted available avenues for resolving their disputes.
“By highlighting this, we pray that someone may come to our rescue and help us get paid,” he added.
The allegations made by the worker have not been independently verified. Rutere and the companies mentioned should be given an opportunity to respond to the claims. No finding of wrongdoing has been established based solely on the worker’s account.
