Special Team to Probe Alleged Abuse of Kenyan SGR Workers by Chinese Counterparts

The Kenyan government has constituted a special team to investigate the alleged abuse of Kenyan workers at the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) by their Chinese counterparts.

In a circular to newsrooms, Labour Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani said the taskforce will look into claims of harassment, racism and mistreatment of the employees. Yattani said those found culpable will be prosecuted. 

The team, which is made of senior officials in the Labor ministry, will probe alleged cases of harassment, racism, long working hours, pay disparities, denial of right of association among others.

“These allegations point to a violation of Labour Laws and offend Article 41 of the Constitution of Kenya,” the statement by CS Yattani reads.

CS Yattani assured Kenyans that his ministry is committed to ensuring Labour laws are enforced and workers safety and health is safeguarded.

The probe follows a public outrage over photos and videos of the alleged abuse of Kenyan SGR staffs, with Kenyans expressing their displeasure following an exposé by a local newspaper. The probe team has seven days to submit a report of its findings to the ministry.