Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

Attack on SGR workers unacceptable – CS Macharia

The 14 workers were attacked at Duka Moja on Wednesday by Maasai morans demanding jobs at the Standard Gauge Railway construction/FILE

The 14 workers were attacked at Duka Moja on Wednesday by Maasai morans demanding jobs at the Standard Gauge Railway construction/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 5 – The government has condemned the attack on Chinese workers putting up the Standard Gauge Railway in Narok and vowed to punish the perpetrators.

The 14 workers were attacked at Duka Moja on Wednesday by Maasai morans demanding jobs at the Standard Gauge Railway construction.

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has assured that security has been enhanced at all construction sites to protect the workers.

“The forceful entry into the construction camp by the moran youths and the attack of the workers is a criminal offence,” he asserted.

“In view of the foregoing, the government will take stern action against the perpetrators to ensure that all those involved in the barbaric acts face the full force of the law.”

In a statement issued on Thursday evening, Macharia said the government was keen to ensure that the forty per cent local content initiative is achieved by guaranteeing jobs and contracts for locals.

The 40 percent arrangement, he said includes employment, training and skills transfer, supply of goods and services, work contracts among others.

So far, construction of the Mombasa to Nairobi section has provided employment to 30,000 Kenyans according to government statistics.

“Nairobi section has provided for well over 30,000 locals, presented locals with the opportunity to do business to the tune of over Sh50 billion, trained over 15,000 Kenyans as engineers, masons, mechanics, electricians among others,” the CS stated.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News