Employees attached to the delivery unit at DPL Festive Limited, the company behind the popular Festive Bread brand, have raised serious concerns over what they describe as punishing work conditions that stretch their physical limits and endanger their well-being.

According to accounts from workers’ families shared with blogger Cyprian Nyakundi and seen by this publication, delivery staff are required to report to duty as early as 2:00 a.m., work seven days a week without off days, and operate through public holidays and festive seasons without leave. In many cases, long delivery routes extend late into the night, only for workers to resume duty a few hours later.

The employees, who operate from the company’s bakery along Lunga Lunga Road in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, say the relentless schedules have left them chronically fatigued, raising concerns not only about worker welfare but also public safety, given the demanding nature of delivery work.

One concerned spouse, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, described the situation as inhumane.

“My husband works from Sunday to Sunday—no off day, no holiday, no leave. He wakes up at 2 a.m. every day to report to work. Sometimes he comes home very late, but still has to wake up again a few hours later. Even when he is sick, he is forced to go to work because if he doesn’t, his salary is deducted,” she said.

The spouse recounted a Christmas Eve incident where her husband returned home close to 10 p.m. after a heavy delivery day, only to be back on duty again at 2 a.m. on Christmas Day.

Workers further allege that absences due to illness, bereavement, or urgent family matters are treated as unexcused, leading to salary deductions. This, they say, pressures employees to report to work while unwell, compounding exhaustion and health risks.

“Many staff are complaining, but they feel powerless,” the spouse added. “All they are asking for is basic things—off days, leave days, and holidays, even on a rotational basis.”

The delivery staff are now calling on DPL Festive Limited to urgently introduce structured rest days, leave schedules, and humane working hours in line with Kenya’s labour laws. They warn that failure to address the situation could push them to escalate the matter to the Ministry of Labour and other relevant regulatory bodies.

Labour experts note that Kenyan employment laws guarantee workers the right to rest days, annual leave, and safe working conditions, emphasizing that prolonged fatigue—especially in logistics and transport roles—poses serious risks.

As Festive Bread remains a staple in many Kenyan households, the workers behind its daily delivery say they hope their concerns will be addressed before exhaustion turns into tragedy.