By Ben Leshau
Governor Samuel Tunai has intervened in a row between a group of jobless youth and a contractor implementing a Sh1.7 billion sewerage project in Narok town.
The youth who were protesting against unemployment at the ongoing project approached the Governor to help them get jobs, saying the management of the company had allegedly denied them opportunities over flimsy grounds.
The angry youth said the contractor was reluctant to employ them even as casual workers at the site and challenged Mr. Tunai to intervene.
They pressed the Governor to summon the contractor to the meeting so that he could explain why his company was against employing locals to work on the project.
Their leader, Robert Teeka, narrated to the Governor how it was impossible for the local to get jobs, saying no good reason is given to deny them the available opportunities.
“It is not right for company not to consider us when offering employment yet the project is being carried out in our town,” Teeka said.
The implementation of the project started last month and is expected to be completed within 18 months.
The sewerage project is being undertaken by the Rift Valley Water Service Board and the county government and it is the first ever sewerage facility in the county.
Mr Teeka claimed that the youth have been blocked from accessing the construction site and called on the County Government to intervene.
He demanded for casual laborers from Narok to be given first priority especially in the renovation of the Narok Stadium and other road projects within the county.
After a brief consultations with the directors of the firm Governor Tunai ordered that 40 youth be employed with immediate effect and that his administration would monitor closely the recruitment process.
“Here is the contractor. We have agreed that effective tomorrow 20 youths will get jobs at the sewerage site and others will be employed as they progress,” said Governor Tunai.
The governor directed that all the companies and contractors who have won various tenders within the county must ensure at least 70 per cent of its staff are local youth.
Narok Town MCA Bernard Torome vowed to be on the forefront in ensuring that youths from his ward get jobs.
“It is a great honour for us to host this year’s Madaraka Day event. I want all youth working as taxi operators, Boda Boda riders, artists and even those with no jobs to organize themselves so that they utilize available opportunities, “said Governor Tunai.