Image of the author Mary Wanjiru Njuki smiling.

10/23/2025 ● NAIROBI, KENYA ● TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION -K

OUTSOURCING

Submitted by

MARY WANJIRU NJUKI

Introduction

In today's hyper-connected world, businesses are no longer confined by borders — talent, services, and innovation can come from anywhere. Outsourcing has evolved from a cost-saving tactic into a strategic lever for agility, growth, and focus.

But outsourcing is not just about shifting work elsewhere. It’s a story of trade-offs and transformation — of what we choose to keep close, and what we trust others to do on our behalf. Behind every outsourcing decision are human stories: teams adapting to change, small businesses scaling up, and global partnerships redefining how work gets done.

“Behind every outsourcing decision are human stories: teams adapting to change, small businesses scaling up, and global partnerships redefining how work gets done.”

Storytelling Intro

Every day, thousands of young Kenyans hit the roads — driving cabs, making deliveries, and powering a transport economy that never sleeps. But behind the wheel lies a hidden truth: more and more of their jobs are being controlled by foreign companies, invisible apps, and outsourced systems. This is the story of how outsourcing is reshaping work in Kenya — and what it means for our youth.

Transcript

Hello and welcome to STORY IN ACTION.

This is MARY WANJIRU, organizer and Young workers representative in TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION (TAWU-K).

Now, today's topic will be about workers outsourcing.

Breather.

Whereas the parliaments recognize the growing practice of outsourcing labour globally and the increasing exposure to unsafe, hazardous or conflict-affected environments. Youth are affected by work outsourcing in several complex and sometimes contradictory ways, depending on their location, education level and skillset.Therefore, higher competition for remaining jobs, lack of equal rights, social protection, safety measures, legal recourse and economic insecurity. However, the Transport workers union (TAWU-K) maintains a public registry of outsourcing entities.

Breather.

Duncan was 27 when he landed the job with MOTOGARI, a well-known transport and logistics company in Kenya. Based in Nairobi, MOTOGARI had built a name for offering affordable delivery and cab services across the country. They were expanding fast, and Duncan was hired as a contract driver in 2024, it felt like the beginning of something big.

He would often say he felt like he had a future.With a regular salary, NHIF and NSSF deductions, and even training workshops, he was proud. But that was not the case. He was being paid on commission basis with no statutory deduction. A commission of 17% per every trip he made which is below the minimal wage.

The job wasn’t easy. Long hours, bad roads, and impatient customers. But it was dignified. In the course of the year Duncan realized a change in his total monthly commission: illegal deductions and lack of compensation. Fuel cards were replaced with a system managed by an app that deducted directly from drivers' earnings,Overtime was no longer paid “due to system limitations,Bonuses vanished with no explanation.

Drivers who raised complaints got flagged out of the system and even terminated with no warning.

By August 2024, nearly half of MOTOGARI’s original young drivers had left. Those who remained were either reclassified as casual workers or were working under “fleet partners” — middlemen who pocketed a percentage of their income.

Duncan stayed not out of choice but necessity.

MOTOGARI had taken his job, his benefits, and his security.

But it hadn’t taken his voice

In January 2025, Duncan and I met, formed a group of former and current MOTOGARI drivers with the aim of organizing, recruiting and representing young workers under the Transport Workers Union . Together, the Union has demanded workers rights to be honored and also called for regulation of outsourced employment and protection of youth workers in Kenya’s growing gig economy.

On Labour Day, Kenya’s leaders addressed the most urgent issues facing workers — from outsourcing to the struggles of the youth to find secure jobs. First, we’ll hear from the Secretary General of COTU followed by the President who delivered a strong message on behalf of workers across the country.

Reflections

Duncan's story stayed with me and reminded me that behind every cost-saving measure is a person — someone who may not have the safety net to catch outsourcing strategy when decisions are made from the top down.

This isn’t to say outsourcing is inherently wrong — it can unlock opportunities and growth. But Duncan’s experience taught me that we have a responsibility to do it ethically. That means asking hard questions: Are we protecting the most vulnerable? Are we planning for the people left behind? Are we designing systems that reward profit — or that value people?

As a youth, if you’re working without proper protection, you're not the only one. Don’t be afraid to speak up, share your story, or join others demanding fair treatment. Change starts when we stop staying silent!

What's Next for Me

Create more visibility;Duncan’s story matters because it’s real and real stories shift hearts, not just policies.

Study labor laws, social protection frameworks, or business policies related to outsourcing. Or maybe connect with labour rights organisations in order to change the system.

And also facilitate conversations between leadership and workers in order to co-design ethical outsourcing frameworks hence my position in Transport Workers Union Kenya.

As decision-makers, young trade unionists or citizens what role do we play in creating systems that protect people like Duncan? What can we do differently?

What does ethical outsourcing look like to you? Can we design a model that supports business goals and protects workers like Duncan?