• Workers cite increased cases of accidents at construction cites, lack of necessary safety gear, poor pay, rights violations.
• Workers are mostly casuals, including masons, electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters and others.
Image: MATHEWS NDANYI
Construction workers are angry about what they call neglect by their employers and the government.
The workers, mostly casuals, said there are increasing accidents at construction sites, human rights violations, poor pay and lack of necessary safety gear.
The workers include masons, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders and others.
They spoke at a rally on Sunday in Eldoret and said they have formed to form an association to fight for their rights.
The Western Kenya Mafundi Association will help them meet with employers and contractors and sort out problems, they said.
Raphael Omboko, who is chairman of the association, said neglect of the workers had caused many of them to suffer injuries or lose their lives at the construction sites.
He said most families are not compensated.
“You go to most construction sites and you will see how the workers toil in inhuman conditions for as little as Sh200 a day," Omboko said.
"Yet it's such workers who put up the most elegant, multi-billion shillings buildings in the county," he said.
Omboko said most construction workers are unable to take care of their families because the pay is so poor.
“Many of them end up in drug and alcohol abuse just to wish away their frustrations," Omboko said.
The association is now recruiting all workers in the sector to team up and fight for recognition, better pay and structured employment.
“We will push for a legal and structured way of engaging the concerned workers in the entire sector, including those putting up government buildings," he said.
He said even simple requirements like toilets and clean water are not provided at most construction sites. He also said female workers frequently are exposed to sexual harassment and abuse.
The official said more than half of Kenyan construction workers are working without proper regulators on their working environment and welfare.
Separately. Ziwa area residents in Uasin Gishu have praised Governor Jackson Mandago for the successful completion of tarmacked roads around Ziwa Trading Centre.
Residents' representative Edna Chepkemei said the infrastructure has changed the face of the market.
"I also thank the county for giving opportunities to women in such projects during design and construction work. The contractor on site, Margaret Limo of Joshman, has done a great job," Chepkemei said.
(Edited by V. Graham)