Makueni locals unhappy with SGR contractors, claim locals sidelined

Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana with Mr Yu, the CRBC Voi-Makindu Railway Section project manager. The two met over discontent among locals and they agreed to form a partnership. [PHOTO: ONESMUS NZIOKA/STANDARD]

MTITO-ANDEI: Makueni residents have expressed their displeasure with the China Roads and Bridges Corporation (CRBC), the company contracted to construct the Standard Gauge Railway, for allegedly ignoring them in recruitment of manpower for casual jobs.

They claim majority of those hired as casuals at the Mtito-Andei campsite come from other counties despite a promise by the company that locals would be given priority for the less technical jobs.

Kyalo, a resident of Mtito Andei, claims locals flock the Chinese contractor's gates expecting to get casual jobs only for them to be turned away since the said jobs have already been given to individuals close to the personal assistants of the Chinese project managers.

"This is now causing security concerns in the community because we have an influx of strangers, and some of those employed at the site cannot even identify themselves," he said.

RESIDENTS' CONCERNS

The residents also claim that a cartel of "well connected individuals", has been fleecing residents of thousands of shillings promising to get them jobs in preparation for actual commencement of the railway construction in September.

Another issue of concern is the fear that some names are missing from the land compensation list for those affected by the project.

This has caused panic among small land holders who fear their land will be acquired without compensation and now want the National Land Commission and the county government to intervene before names are gazetted.

These concerns forced Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana to hold a private meeting with the CRBC Voi-Makindu Railway Section project manager, a Mr Yu, in order to settle the issues and address residents.

Kibwana and Yu agreed that the county will create a liaison office to work with the railway contractor in recruitment of personnel.

The two also entered into a partnership that will lead to development that will benefit both parties such as water projects, good roads and reliable electricity connections.

The partnership also includes the county identifying suppliers of sand and other raw materials in order to eradicate brokers who the Chinese contractors accused of quoting high prices, claiming the materials came from Nairobi yet they get them within the county.

BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIP

Kibwana said anyone found harvesting sand at the county without proper authorisation will be arrested.

He told Kenya Railways Corporation and the National Land Commission to urgently call for a meeting in order to address once and for all settle the compensation issues warning that failure to do so will only delay the project.

"It is our duty as a county government to not only facilitate national and international projects, but also ensure best practices are observed," he said.

The governor said without proper waste disposal mechanisms, such a project will negatively impact the environment and warned that the county government will not tolerate such, especially contamination of the already scarce water sources.

Mr Yu said CRBC will drill bore holes, build clinics as well as grade roads near the SGR line.