President Uhuru Kenyatta wants locals given priority in ongoing Standard Gauge Railway project

President Uhuru Kenyatta inspects a trial section of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) at Mtito Andei, Makueni County, Friday. [PHOTO: PSCU]

President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed that half of the over 30,000 jobs to be created by the ongoing construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project be sourced in areas where the railway line passes.

The rest of the opportunities, he said, should go to youth from other parts of the country since the SGR is a national project. He said he has already agreed with the Chinese government that all employment opportunities arising from the project that do not require foreign expertise be set aside for Kenyans.