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{
    "id": 812563,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/812563/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 197,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13131,
        "legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
        "slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the cardinal rule on skills transfer is that work that can be done by Kenyans should not be done by foreign nationals in this country. It has been claimed that there are certain departments where no Kenyan is staffed. There are claims that once the SGR train was launched, Kenyans have never driven it again despite having some with such qualifications. There are claims we are investigating that Kenyans with qualifications such as diplomas and degrees in engineering are being bypassed by Chinese nationals who come in, train for two weeks and take those jobs. As a result of that, we have qualified Kenyans who are doing menial jobs like collecting garbage and cleaning the trains. Even at such levels of employment and work, the claims are that Chinese employees are continually being absorbed to do work that Kenyans can do. We are also looking at personal protective equipment that is lacking for the labour force, underpayment and payslips. There are also claims that Chinese staff are being allowed to undertake activities that ordinarily would cause immediate sacking if done by Kenyan staff. Signage in the machinery is in Chinese, hence Kenyan engineers and labour force are not even able to participate in trouble shooting. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, because of this, the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare is in the process of investigating the above matter and will address the following concerns:- 1) Racism and mistreatment claims. We will look into- a) the alleged abuse of rights and freedoms of Kenyans working at the SGR; b) the terms and conditions of service of the Chinese working at the SGR; and, c) the terms and conditions of service for Kenyans working on the SGR. 2) The role of Kenya Railways in the management of the SGR. In this we will look into- (a) The contractual arrangement between the China Roads and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and Kenya railways on the management of staff of the SGR; (b) The status of the transfer of skills of the Kenyans working at the SGR and the status of the Kenya job skills gap in the management of the SGR. 3) The role of CRBC in the management of the SGR staff. 4) The law governing the human resources management of the SGR by the CRBC. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Committee has issued invitations to various interested parties that Include the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, the Kenya Railways leadership, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). We have also invited workers at the SGR, directly or through their representatives, to give us information. Just as these reports have come to us, they shall be treated without any prejudice and all of it shall be treated confidentially at this stage. We assure them of the protection of this House and that they will not be victimised once they bring those issues. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}