Del Monte Workers Take to Streets Over Pineapple Theft, Warn Jobs Are at Risk

Hundreds of Del Monte Kenya employees staged demonstrations in Thika on Friday, November 13, raising alarm over rampant pineapple theft, attacks on workers and vandalism they say are threatening operations—and ultimately their livelihoods.

The workers, organised through the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU), began their procession near Ngati Police Station-Del Monte junction before marching towards the company shop near Blue Post Hotel (Ha Gatonye junction) along the Thika–Kenol Highway. The demonstrators later attempted to access the busy Thika–Nairobi Highway, prompting the deployment of anti-riot police to control the procession and prevent disruption of traffic.

The protest followed a formal notice issued to the Ngati Police Station OCS on November 10 by Del Monte Plantation Branch Chief Shop Steward Francis Mwangangi Kilyungi. The union had scheduled the peaceful demonstration to run from 7am to 6pm and requested police protection.

Workers allege organised theft

While pineapple theft around the vast plantation has often been associated with individuals carrying away fruit in sacks, some workers who talked to 3T TV in anonymity for fear of victimisation, claimed that the problem had developed into a coordinated and highly organised operation. They alleged that some groups were entering the plantation using vans and pickup trucks to remove large quantities of harvested pineapples. In other cases, they claimed, suspected thieves targeted company trucks while produce was being loaded in the fields.

The workers alleged that those behind the operation appeared to enjoy protection from unidentified individuals, although they did not publicly provide evidence identifying the alleged protectors.

The theft, they claimed, has become so extensive that some harvesting shifts involving casual labourers have occasionally been cancelled when the expected produce could no longer be secured. This has fuelled fears among permanent and casual employees that continued losses could force the company to reduce its workforce or scale down some operations.

“The rampant theft of pineapples has resulted in significant losses to the company and poses a serious threat to the livelihoods of employees,” Kilyungi said in the notification to police.

Beyond the financial losses, workers said employees carrying out their duties had allegedly been confronted, attacked and injured by suspected thieves. The union said the incidents had created fear among employees and disrupted routine work within the plantation.

Workers also raised concerns over the theft and destruction of irrigation fittings, fertilisers, crop-protection chemicals and other agricultural materials delivered to the fields.

“These criminal activities have disrupted operations, increased production costs and contributed to substantial financial losses,” the union said.

The complaints come despite the establishment of a specialised Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit at Del Monte earlier in 2026. The unit was intended to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance and rapid response to organised theft and other security threats.

Politics and land claims enter dispute

Some employees claimed that the security crisis was being exploited by individuals seeking political mileage or attempting to damage the company’s reputation. They also expressed concern that agitation surrounding the plantation could be driven partly by expectations that company land may eventually be redistributed to squatters.

Pineapple theft has been a long-running and highly contentious problem around the Del Monte plantation. Previous reports have documented organised groups entering the fields in large numbers, sometimes leading to violent confrontations with security personnel.

The company has previously acknowledged coordinated criminal operations targeting its produce. However, Del Monte and its contracted security providers have also faced serious allegations involving violence against suspected trespassers, claims that have attracted investigations and calls for greater accountability.

The workers said Friday’s demonstration was intended to demand stronger security without violence and to protect the company’s ability to continue operating and providing employment.