Arvinder Reel CFAO Motors Kenya Managing Director
Hi Nyakundi,
All the issues reported on fraud are true.
I have worked there for more than 6 years. It was a good company then suddenly things changed when the current MD was appointed. It is a very toxic place. People hardly smile or chat in Toyota. There is sadness and gloom all over. Then the corruption. Mr Arvinder and Kisumu Concrete company constructed a wall around an acre plot at Kshs 100M.
A wall that would ordinarily cost 2million. This asset still lies in the assets register and we see it every day in shock. He also pays them (Kisumu Concrete) 250k for security around the walled premises yet Toyota contracts G4S to secure all Toyoya premises. Also, no one guards the premises, it’s a fenced, empty plot.
It is basically a handout to his friends. When this was reported to CFAO, the Risk Manager retrieved all documentary evidence of payment and withheld it.
In the Kisumu branch, the Indians in the town led by Kisumu Concrete are entitled and racist since Arvinder became MD. They demanded the firing of a Service Manager who had worked for almost 20 years at Toyota. Sadly Arvinder did not hesitate. He was fired.
The Risk Manager Mrs Guandaru has been involved in getting rid of anyone (through dubious audits and investigations) who calls out the corruption or misogyny.
Another report from my colleague is that Toyota is the only company never to have worked remotely even during the height of covid. Many staff with underlying conditions (cancer, lung diseases and asthma) suffered. This was during curfews and staff would leave at 4:30, most times getting caught up in traffic.
During the intercounty lockdowns, one staff in the Eldoret branch was denied a pass to visit his brother in ICU. When the brother died, he repeatedly requested HR to grant him a pass to attend the funeral. He didn’t get it. He left his workplace and attended the burial after negotiating with the police.
He resigned tearfully a month later. When HR received his resignation, the Risk Manager, Margaret Guandaru ordered an audit on him trying to get him fired instead of accepting the resignation.
Many people join from big Multinationals but leave shortly afterwards because of the toxicity.
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