Facebook user by the name Kwaj Dala has exposed the rot at Storymoja Publishers, revealing how they exploit creatives without paying for their work. His ordeal began in June last year when a friend recommended him for a voice-over job.
He recorded an audiobook for “The Matatu From Watamu,” delivering the required Jamaican accent. Ten days later, he was recalled for corrections, which he completed, expecting payment within 30 days as per the contract.
However, when he followed up on July 30, he was told the project had been paused and that he would get an update soon. That update never came. On September 12, he reached out again, only to be informed that they had opted for a Kenyan accent instead and would not pay him.
The excuse was absurd because he had completed the entire job based on their initial instructions. He had fulfilled his part, and any changes they made later should not have been his burden.
Yet, Storymoja Publishers used this as a loophole to avoid paying him.Refusing to accept the exploitation, he emailed them, hoping to get a reasonable response. Instead, he received a generic rejection, claiming that his audio was not selected after considering all submissions.
But this was not a submission it was a full voice-over recording. A submission is a short sample, not an entire project. This was clear dishonesty on their part. Seeing through the deception, Kwaj Dala sought legal advice and was told to obtain a copy of the contract and the audio file.
He emailed them requesting these, but instead of sending them, Storymoja Publishers invited him to their office for discussions.
That meeting was fruitless. They claimed they could not find the contract. The same producer who had handed him the contract started pretending to search for it by running his fingers over the studio speakers, acting clueless.
Without the contract in his possession, Kwaj Dala knew he had lost the legal advantage. Storymoja Publishers had deliberately kept the only copy, making it his word against theirs.
They had created the perfect setup to avoid any legal consequences while robbing him of his rightful pay.Leaving their office, he realized this was not just about his case but a pattern of exploitation targeting creatives.
They had changed the scope of the work after he had delivered and then expected him to bear the loss. Frustrated but determined, he decided to expose their unethical behavior, warning fellow artists to avoid Storymoja Publishers at all costs.
Kwaj Dala made it clear that he would not let this matter rest. He is demanding payment and calling out the company for its predatory behavior.
His post serves as a warning to all creatives Storymoja Publishers cannot be trusted. Their actions show a lack of integrity and a willingness to exploit artists for free labor.
Storymoja Publishers must be held accountable. Their reputation as a con company is now public, thanks to Kwaj Dala’s bold exposure.
