Hire more locals, Lamu legislators tell contractors

Lamu MPs have threatened to force contractors undertaking national government projects in the county to employ more locals.

MPs Stanley Muthama (Lamu West), Athman Sharif (Lamu East) and Woman Rep Ruweida Obbo accused many contractors of hiring youths from other counties at the expense of locals.

The legislators said only a few locals are currently hired to work on the Lamu-Garsen road and at the new Lamu Port site.

Mr Muthama said 70 per cent of the workforce in these projects should come from Lamu County.

LAMU YOUTHS

“We have realised that less than 30 per cent of Lamu youths have been hired in projects like the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (Lapsset) Corridor project, Lamu-Garsen road and other mega projects undertaken by the national government. We will force contractors to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (with the county government) to ensure local people benefit from such projects,” said Mr Muthama.

Lamu East MP Athman Sharif asked contractors not to discriminate against the local youth when it comes to employment.

“We want to see contractors employing local youths as casual labourers,” said Mr Sharif.

Ms Obbo, who stressed on the need to give locals first priority when it comes to employment, alleged that some contractors had hired their own people.  

SECURE JOBS

“We have construction going on at Lapsset. We also have the ongoing construction of the Lamu-Garsen road. We support all these projects, however, won’t accept a scenario where contractors come with their own people to work in the projects. We want the local community to benefit from those projects,” said Ms Obbo.

During his recent tour to the project, Lapsset Chairman Titus Ibui said that local youths should be given priority during employment in the project.  

 “We want the Lapsset project to benefit the local mwananchi. Parents should educate their children to enable them secure jobs once the port is complete and functional,” said Mr Ibui.