This archive report was first published on 20 August 2019.
On August 20, 2019, a tragic incident occurred at the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project in Ongata Rongai, where a 25-year-old worker, Victor Baraza, fell from a 100-feet high bridge while trying to avoid an oncoming wagon.
Baraza was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries, prompting his colleagues to stage a protest against their employer, China Communications Construction Company.
The workers accused the company of not implementing sufficient safety measures to prevent such accidents and demanded a risk allowance due to the nature of their work.
According to Brian Onyango, a supervisor, the workers lacked essential safety gear, including belts, boots, and first aid kits, and faced harassment and long working hours to meet the October deadline.
Onyango stated, 'Life is more important than work. There will be no work until our demands are met.'
Company Spokesman Steven Zhao denied claims of a cover-up and stated that the company had compensated the family and was working to address the issues raised by the workers.
Zhao emphasized that the company was committed to transparency and had released information on the project's progress, compensation, and safety regulations.
He added that new regulations on risk allowance were being considered, but no decision had been made.
