Residents of Athi River and Kitengela towns who woke up early today to look for jobs at Export Processing Zone (EPZ) had a double trouble predicament.
They thronged the gates of various companies within the Export Processing Zone compound with hopes of getting absorbed but things turned ugly when their requests were not only turned down but were also ordered to leave the compound.
Things took an ugly turn when most of them refused to obey the order and instead opted to hang around the EPZ compound.
Soldiers manning the gates tried to force them out of the compound but owing to their large numbers, the soldiers were overwhelmed. That is when they called the police for back-up.
Police officers responded by engaging the job seekers in running battles. Most of them ran into a nearby bush in a bid to get any opening that leads them outside the compound. It was a sad but funny incident that goes to greater lengths in showing how desperate job seekers are.
“We have come to job seek, I don't understand why we are being chased by the police officers," One of the victims Vincent Odhiambo told this writer.
The locals said they should not be whipped by police for job seeking as if they are criminals.
They have called on the government to intervene into the matter and ensure they are protected whenever they get to the zone on job hunt.