By L, KNA
Youths in the Ilng’osuani area of Kajiado East have shut down Zenith Steel Fabricators, citing ethnic profiling in hiring and unfair treatment of local workers.
Zenith Steel Fabricators, located along the Namanga–Nairobi Highway, recently terminated 19 local employees, alleging incompetence and lack of required skills. The move sparked outrage among community members, who accuse the company of bias against locals.
Ellian Martine, Chairperson of the Kajiado County Youth Alliance (KCYA), emphasized the need for companies to adhere to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) principles and fair labor practices as stipulated in the Employment Act, 2007, which mandates safe working conditions and fair wages.
Martine also noted that despite the signing of the Kajiado County Corporate Social Responsibility Bill in early 2024, implementation has not begun, negatively affecting the social and economic wellbeing of communities near industrial firms.
“The notion that local youth are incapable of professionalism or hard labor is false. Such assumptions amplify ethnic profiling in hiring and deny youth crucial job opportunities,” said Martine.
He added that local jobs are critical in bridging unemployment gaps and urged the youth to respect employment contracts and company regulations while advocating for their rights.
Nominated MCA Joyce Sunte also expressed concern over the termination of the 19 employees, citing it as a violation of the Kajiado County CSR law, which requires that at least 70 percent of labor be sourced from the local community.
Sunte confirmed that she has initiated talks with Zenith Steel Fabricators to ensure the reinstatement of the affected employees. She also announced plans to appoint a liaison officer to represent community interests and facilitate communication with the company.
“We have requested a liaison officer to represent the community’s interests to companies, as provided for in the Kajiado County CSR law. We urge the community to work together to select a trusted representative,” she said.
Sunte further called on locally-based companies to respect community rights, emphasizing that ethnic profiling in hiring practices undermines social and economic development.
The Kajiado County Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2024, signed into law by Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, provides a framework for companies to develop self-regulatory practices and management systems that foster trust, accountability, and strong relationships between firms and local communities.
The youth protest at Zenith Steel Fabricators underscores ongoing tensions over equitable access to employment opportunities and highlights the need for full enforcement of CSR laws to safeguard community welfare.
