Trouble hits airtel kenya with graft and fraud amongst employees of the telco giant.
As businessmen, who depend on being middle men fights for their pay, the company has frustrated agents to the core.
An Airtel franchise partner has revealed through an anonymous submission with a series of troubling allegations regarding the company’s operational practices. The allegations shed light on a landscape fraud with challenges and disparities.
The partner claims to have formed an alliance group to address these issues internally but expresses frustration at the lack of a receptive platform within Airtel for dialogue and resolution.
The partner opened up to blogger Cyprian Nyakundi over the grave allegations in the company.
Airtel partners mistreated
Outlined in a detailed breakdown provided by the partner, who wishes to remain anonymousmous, are several key points.
“Hi Nyakundi,
I’m an Airtel franchise partner and I want to shed light on some concerning issues within the company.
(1) Airtel is implementing destructive and manipulative Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Partners are required to part with 20% of their earnings each month, strategically set up by sales operations to ensure partners fail to hit targets.
(2) Franchise partners are in direct competition with employees in the distribution market, putting them at a disadvantage. Employees have access to Airtel merchandise, giving them an upper hand.
(3) Despite the Kenyan Shilling gaining value against the dollar, Airtel continu es to sell SIM cards to partners at 20 Ksh and partne rs are still pushed to buy kits.
(4) Partners are forced to stock non-moving products like MiFis, despite having non-moving stock, or risk losing access to cards or scratch cards.
(5) Airtel lacks transparency in partner payouts. They claim to pay 10% of SIM card usage for six months, but this does not reflect during payout. Partners have requested a different payout structure without success.
(6) Partners lack direct communication with company management despite their investment.
(7) Conflict of interest exists within the company’s departments, such as Direct Sales Agents being paid via scratch cards.
(8) Managers and employees run franchise shops in the shadows, making it difficult for partners to compete fairly.
(9) Franchise shops are being opened daily, but many end up closing due to lack of profitability, despite promises of profitability.
(10) The introduction of Airtel kiosks poses challenges, including security issues and unrealistic operational cash requirements.
I’ve been an Airtel dealer since the inception of franchise partners and have faced financial challenges despite high sales. We’ve formed an alliance group to address these issues, but we lack a platform or a listening ear within the company. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.”
Airtel, however, is yet to respond to the allegations within its management.
