NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 29 – Residents of Ruiru municipality on the outskirts of Nairobi will be given job priority when the main construction works on the multi-billion shilling Tatu City project kicks off.
According to Nahashon Nyagah, the chairman of Tatu City Limited, the project developer, locals will be allocated between 40 to 60 percent of the jobs available.
“We plan to set aside up to 60 percent of construction jobs for area residents as part of our efforts at supporting and engaging the local community,” disclosed Nyagah adding that initially, 3000 construction workers would be required.
He was speaking in Ruiru over the weekend during a clean up exercise adjacent to the Tatu City site. “We are actively engaging the local community on various fronts as we want them to feel themselves part of the Tatu City project and begin seeing its benefits,” Nyagah said.
He however urged Ruiru residents to also apply for professional and specialized construction jobs such as engineers, quantity surveyors and architects.
“We are not just looking at hiring raw labor. We also require professionals and locals who possess expertise are encouraged to apply.” he urged.
Ruiru Mayor Gerald Kaarah hailed the move saying it would empower locals economically adding that many youth were unemployed and therefore turning to crime and other vice.
Area MP William Kabogo, who also present at the occasion urged other investors in the area to give priority to residents when recruiting workers.
Tatu city will be built in phases over a 10-year period and once complete, will be home to over 70,000 residents. It is a mixed-use development meaning it will cater for high, middle and low income residential segments of the population. It will also have commercial and recreational facilities and is estimated to create over 300,000 jobs.
Initial works at the site located 60 kilometers north-west of Nairobi begun in May. Two construction firms, Gibb Africa, and SS Mehta and Sons, won the Ksh262 million contract to build roads, sewer lines, drainage and other enabling works for Phase 1AA of the project expected to be complete in 2014.
