Quarry workers in Kisii County have faulted Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi for directing police to arrest anyone found working at a quarry during this rainy season.
The workers on Saturday speaking at a quarry along Kisii – Nyatieko road said police have no rights to arrest them because they are the sole bread winners in their families.
“Maangi should stop frustrating us by ordering police to arrest us if found working at a quarry. We depend on the money we get from quarrying activities to put food on the table. We will not succumb to intimidation and blackmail from Maangi and police,” said Dennis Borura, one of the quarry workers.
Tom Mariera, another quarry worker, said they know their work best and no one should direct them on how they should work.
“We all know how to work at the quarrying sites and we have not asked Maangi or police to tell us how and when we should work. Workers have agreed to keep off quarrying sites during rainy days to avoid being buried alive when soil collapses,” said Mariera.
The workers were reacting after Maangi on Thursday ordered police to arrest any worker found working a quarry during this rainy season to curb unnecessary deaths.