Microsoft Kenya is said to have laid off a significant number of its employees from its Africa Development Centre in Nairobi. Although it is unsure how many staff will be affected. A report by TechWeez stated that at least 20 product managers will lose their jobs.
According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company had said that it has a massive global restructuring strategy that will run from now through to the end of Q3 2023. It was not stated which of its offices will get affected or which region the layoff will happen the most.
However, Kipkorir Arap Kirui, who has been working as a senior manager in the product management department at Microsoft ADC in Nairobi, Kenya, since 2021, recently announced on LinkedIn that he was laid off.
“I was informed that Microsoft had made my role redundant. I have many unanswered questions, and it will take some time to respond to this news. However, I do find solace in knowing that it was not due to any performance-related issues”
While layoff is not a new thing for the big tech giant, as it has had a continuation of gradual layoffs that has affected over 10,000 people or 5 per cent of its workforce, this particular news has come as a shock to many, particularly the African tech market as Microsoft has been seen as a significant player in Kenya’s rapidly growing tech sector.
The company has been heavily invested in building partnerships with local businesses and government agencies and has been actively working to promote digital literacy and access across the country.
However, this recent development will, in the coming months, cast doubt on Microsoft’s commitment to the region and ultimately impact the Kenyan tech sectors. For this Microsoft layoff in Kenya, it is unclear what the compensation for these African employees will be, as other globally affected employees have been given very attractive severance packages.