Kenya asks workers to learn Chinese, despite allegations of abuse

The Kenyan government has called on its citizens to "appreciate" the work done by Chinese companies after workers at the Nairobi-Mombasa new railway complained of ill-treatment and discrimination.

Kenyan media have been inundated with reports and images of what appears to be evidence that Kenyan workers are being abused by the Chinese manufacturers of the Standard Gauge Railway, launched in 2017. An image shows dozens of workers lying on belly

the government promised to take action against those behind the abuses. However, government spokesman Eric Kiraithe says the behavior of his compatriots at work is also to blame.

"Even though we are talking about [railway] and racism and all that, it might be necessary for us as a country to change our Kiraithe called Kenyans working on the railroad to learn from Chinese how to use them and maintain them, so that they can take over in the future.

"What we expect from these Kenyans to do, those who have an opportunity, is to focus on the challenge", he said. "We are aware, as a government, that there are forces that are not very friendly with this project."

The Chinese railway has also been criticized by environmental activists because the train pbades through a national park.

According to Kenyan media, the train struck buffalo and lions. The government said the accidents were "involuntary".

"At present, they have crossed the railway line and three roads are proposed in the same Nairobi National Park," said Reinhard Bonke of the Nairobi Friends National Park. "And again, when the railroad goes to the park, we have problems like pollution in the park, we do not know yet, but the poaching issue can be a problem, all of which will lead to exhaustion. of the park."

The government insists that it is satisfied with the animal protection plans in the parks and along the railway. Environmental advocates say these plans are inadequate.