The camp for the Internally Displaced persons who got evicted to pave way for the construction of the controversial Itare Dam. They are yet to be compensated. [Photo: Kennedy Arap Cheboin]
Since its inception two years ago, controversy seems to dog the multi-billion Itare Dam water project, with the latest being the firing of hundreds of workers on Wednesday.
Reliable sources said more than 500 workers were rendered jobless after they demonstrated on Monday and Tuesday decrying underpayment, favouritism in terms of promotions and payments, nepotism and tribalism.
"Here you need to have a godfather, offer monetary bribes or sexual services to be considered for employment or even promotion. Take an example of the new HR (Human Resource) Manager. She is a diploma holder but she got hired due to her being close to the Nakuru Governor yet there were a good number of more qualified applicants," a source claimed.
"Workers are underpaid yet they work more than 52 hours a week; exceeding the standard hours stipulated by Kenya Labour Laws," the source added saying that instead of addressing issues, the management was resorting to bullying and rendering them jobless.
Residents accused Kuresoi North and Kuresoi South MPs of neglecting them
"Our cries to both MPs to come and address our plight have not been heard. The kind of suffering we are going through here is unbelievable yet we have leaders we massively voted for in August last year," a resident said.
Efforts to reach the MPs were futile.