A resident, Amos Arunga, addressing the press at Shiruma village in Malava constituency on Wednesday /HILTON OTENYOResidents of Malava in Kakamega have demanded that West Kenya Sugar Company reserve 70 per cent of jobs at its newly constructed ethanol plant for the local community.
Speaking at Shiruma village, residents led by Enos Arunga and Janet Murambi said they expected the company to prioritise residents because the community had borne the social and economic effects associated with the establishment of the plant.
Arunga said the community had accepted the project with the expectation it would create employment and improve livelihoods, particularly for young people facing high unemployment.
“The company must honour its pledge during public participation fora to reserve 70 per cent of jobs for the local community,” Arunga said.
“The community agreed to sell their land to the investor on agreement the community would benefit from the plant in terms of employment, and that’s what we’re asking.”
He said the community was open to dialogue with the company over concerns about outsiders being employed at the expense of locals.
Murambi said the company should engage community leaders and representatives before recruiting workers for various positions at the plant.
“The company is on our land; we are supposed to get first priority. The company is operational and no one has reached us. Not every worker in that company requires papers,” another resident said.
She said the demand for jobs should not be misconstrued as an attempt to block the plant from operating, but as a call for fairness.
The concerns came as the ethanol plant prepares to commence operations, raising expectations among residents who view the facility as a potential source of employment and business opportunities.
West Kenya Industries public relations officer George Muruli called for patience, saying the company had engaged local leaders, including politicians, over the recruitment process.
Muruli said the company had put measures in place to ensure residents got employment opportunities at the plant, adding that recruitment was ongoing and residents would be considered for available positions.
“When it comes to employment, some immediate jobs like manual jobs are going direct to the community, and the reason is these are unskilled jobs that cannot attract qualified people or skilled people from far and are therefore suitable to be given to the community, who literally walk from their houses. They don’t have to pay rent, electricity,” he said.
He appealed to residents to remain patient as the recruitment process continued, saying the company was aware of their concerns.
Muruli also urged politicians to be mindful of the plight of community members, particularly those from poor backgrounds.
“Instead of politicising constructive and productive projects like the one we are constructing here, let them support and help us in the community to make them understand that change is not instantaneous, that change is gradual, and there is hope now that we are coming up with more projects," he added.
"Let’s work together so that we can fetch more jobs the way they are demanding so that we can also do more projects for the community.”
