MORE than 500 youth from Pokot South on Saturday demonstrated against the improper hiring of workers at a Chinese construction company.
The youth marched in Murkogoi centre, demanding jobs from China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation.
The company was awarded a Sh10 billion tender through the Water ministry to build the Muruny-Siyoi Dam.
The project is supposed to be completed in three years.
Youth leader Mark Kewakak gave the company a two-week ultimatum to employ them or they will disrupt the project.
“We will not allow the company to employ youth from as far away as Kisumu, Nairobi and Kakamega towns,” he said.
Kewakak said the company has refused to employ them in casual jobs that do not require any skilled qualifications.
“Many youth abandoned cattle rustling and decided to further their studies. We have many graduates,” he said.
Another youth, Abraham Kibet, said their parents moved from their lands to pave way for the dam, hoping their children will be given first priority to work at the site.
Kibet said instead of the Chinese company improving residents’ lives, it has exposed them to poverty.
He asked the county and national governments to intervene and ensure local youth get the jobs.
“Some of the local youth who have been employed at the company are dismissed after a few weeks without valid reasons. We will not allow the company to mistreat us on our land,” he said.
