Kenya Railways Launches Investigations into Racism Allegations at RMS Following Disturbing Presentation :: Kenya

Kenya Railways launched investigations into allegations of racism and abuse by Kenyans working at the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) following a presentation by the Standard.

The agency said that it had instructed the operator of the SGR – China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) – to submit a report on allegations of abuse for an examination critical.

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"These reports have caused a lot of emotions on the part of the public." Indignation, anger and disappointment expressed are understandable and we share the same feelings, "said Monday the director general of Kenya Railways in a statement.

"This unethical conduct, if deemed genuine, is completely unacceptable," said Maina.

Maina said that the agency also deployed its human resources department to engage with local staff employed by the operator to independently establish the authenticity of the claims to inform d & # 's 39, other actions.

"We took things very seriously and if guilt was to be established against anyone, actions will be taken in accordance with the laws of Kenya," said Maina, adding that Kenya Railways is committed to respecting highest ethical standards. in fulfillment of his mandate.

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The answer comes a day after Vice President William Ruto confirmed that the CRBC was earning Shlbillion a month to run the train, saying that "running the RMS is not the same thing as it is." a matatu ". On Sunday evening, the new railway line will reach the breakeven point when the loan is repaid in 2020.

Kenya Railways is the agency mandated to oversee the Chinese operator who drives the train.

Yesterday, RGM staff who spoke confidently said that their Chinese bosses had asked them to appoint representatives who would gather their views as a group and present them to address the fears of victimization. .

It is also understood that the Department of Transport plans an impromptu site visit unexpectedly as part of an investigation mission to ensure that the CRBC is operating in accordance with the law.

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Among the complaints raised by employees are discrimination, racism and harbadment of Chinese personnel.

The investigations conducted by The Standard, which revealed the story on Sunday, revealed a huge contrast between what's happening in public glare and what's really going on beneath the surface when they retreat in their apartments and their restaurant.

For example, Kenyan employees are not allowed to share tables with their Chinese counterparts in the restaurant.

Although not being printed in black and white, the Chinese staff would never sit on the same table as Kenyans and Kenyans should not either join their table.

"Racism is so real here, there is an unwritten rule from where you have to sit, you can not just join the Chinese table," said a locomotive driver badistant.

He said that this division also goes to service vans where even if there is only one Chinese on board, Kenyans will not use them when the time comes.

"You can not board a van that falls on us even though it only has one pbadenger on board. You'll have to wait," he said. said

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Behind the walls of the SGR

Other excesses are allowed on freight trains where visibility is reduced. Chinese staff members are entitled to excesses such as smoking in the locomotive and using mobile phones, crimes that will scare their Kenyan counterparts.

"They are chain smokers and they do it inside the cabin, we do not have toilets in the driver's cab, so some are relieving themselves on the lanes", he said.

The other issue that will be examined is the transfer of skills.

Kenyan drivers never left to drive the trains except for the launch where two women, Alice Gitau and Concilia Owire, marched in front of the cameras to show Kenyans were driving President Uhuru Kenyatta on the maiden voyage.

But immediately the train took off and the cameras disappeared, the Chinese drivers regained control and no Kenyan was allowed to drive the locomotive again.

Those who were trained two years ago by anticipation, have remained auxiliary drivers for maneuver, since the launch of Madaraka Express, and are only sitting and watching the Chinese pilots navigate to the coast and come back.

"We sit right back and look at it." There is no skill transfer going on here, "said a SGR locomotive driver for more than a year. 39, one year.

Three other badistant drivers corroborated the story and said that their job was that of the posters.

"We can not even make firing problems because everything is in Chinese, and in our opinion, the reason they are not open to the transfer of skills is that they want to stay relevant for a long time," he said. he said.

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