Angry youth protest SGR's employment of foreigners
Various university students from around the country demonstrated on the streets of Nairobi on May 12, 2017 over the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) into the Nairobi National Park. | PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU |
What you need to know:
- Angry youth on Monday blocked the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway at Caltex area in Voi, Taita Taveta County protesting against unemployment at the Standard Gauge Railway Site at Kasarani area.
- The youth accused a Chinese Company, China Roads and Bridges Company, of employing foreigners and leaving locals out.
The demonstration halted traffic flow along the busy highway forcing motorists delay their journey for hours.
TAITA TAVETA
Angry youth on Monday blocked the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway at Caltex area in Voi, Taita Taveta County protesting against unemployment at the Standard Gauge Railway Site at Kasarani area.
The youth accused a Chinese Company, China Roads and Bridges Company, of employing foreigners and leaving locals out.
The demonstration halted traffic flow along the busy highway forcing motorists delay their journey for hours.
The highway is mainly used by transit trucks transporting goods from the Port of Mombasa to final destinations in Kenya and across East Africa.
Some of the youth said the company had imported labour ignoring local youth who qualify for the jobs.
EMPLOYMENT
“We were told that we come here today with our identity cards for employment. When we came here we were told there are no vacancies because the exercise took place on Friday last week,” said a youth Mary Wakesho.
Ms Wakesho said upon enquiries they were told those who got employed were non- locals something which angered the youth who had turned up to seek employment at the site.
The youth demanded the sacking of the foreigners and vowed that they will not allow them to work at the site until their plight is heard.
“We are entitled to these jobs because the President ordered the company to employ locals. We demand for our rights and this is not a favour,” said Nicholas Mwangemi.
Mr Mwangemi also accused local leaders of sleeping on their jobs instead of helping youth get employment at the site.
OPPORTUNITIES
“This is not the first time we are demonstrating over such kind of discrimination. Our leaders are busy campaigning for their political seats leaving job opportunities for locals be grabbed by foreigners,” he said.
The police had a hard time engaging the rowdy youth who had halted traffic by burning tires along the highway.
Voi OCPD Joseph Chesire asked the youth to use proper channels to forward their grievances.
“It is unlawful to block the highway which is used by hundreds of motorists. This highway is also very important to the economy of this country,” he said.
Seven youth were arrested by police and taken to Voi police station and will be taken to Voi Law Courts on Monday afternoon.
