Rongai sub-county residents in Nakuru County on Monday held peaceful demonstrations over what they claimed as lack of jobs at the Geothermal Development Company at Menengai Geothermal Project.
The locals barricaded the Machiaro road and demanded to be addressed by the management of the company, giving police a difficult time in controlling the protestors, who had vowed to close the road leading to the company's site.
The locals accused the management of the GDC company for denying them employment opportunities in the state-owned corporation.
“No employment opportunities have been given to locals, people from outside Menengai have been given jobs but none of locals have been employed,” said Henry Kimutai, a local resident.
They accused the company of prioritizing employment opportunities to ‘outsiders' at their expense, adding that they have qualified individuals who should get the jobs.
The protestors further argued that the company has failed to honor its promises to allocate at least 40 % of job opportunities to locals.
“The have failed to provide us with clean water and other social amenities, the company should at least give back to community by employing the youth,” said Juliet Chelegat.
The protestors urged the company to honour its pledge by according the locals greater share in the allocations of jobs.
Bahati OCS Joseph Karanja said that 6 protestors were arrested and held at Bahati police station but they were later released after he held discussions with locals.
Karanja urged the protestors to respect the rule of law and give the management of the company enough time to address their demands.
“Quest for demands is not attained through taking to the streets, negotiations between the involved parties should be initiated to have your demands addressed,” said Karanja.