Workers engaged on the Kitale-Morpus Road project in Trans Nzoia County have shared troubling details about the inhumane conditions they are enduring under the management of Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICO), a Chinese firm known for handling large-scale infrastructure works across Africa.
The project, meant to boost transport and connectivity in the region, is now at the center of serious labour-related complaints that paint a grim picture of the daily lives of Kenyan employees.
CICO, established in 1985 and owned by Chongqing Urban Transport Development and Investment Group, is a major player in the global construction scene. It has handled projects in countries like Uganda, Liberia, Tanzania, Benin, and Ethiopia, with several of its works in China winning high-ranking engineering awards.
However, workers in Kenya claim that behind this strong reputation lies a culture of mistreatment and exploitation that continues to go unchecked.
Employees on the Kitale-Morpus Road project report being subjected to intimidation, long working hours, and poor pay.
They say the environment is hostile and oppressive, largely controlled by a Chinese manager identified as Spring, who allegedly operates hand in hand with a local HR officer named Celestine.
Workers who try to raise complaints about the harsh conditions are reportedly dismissed or threatened with termination, often on the basis of fabricated stories and rumours.
According to insiders, supervisors have little concern for worker welfare or safety. Staff are forced to work beyond their scheduled hours, starting as early as 7:00 a.m. and finishing after 7:00 p.m., without being compensated for overtime.
There are no proper breaks during the day, and those who fail to meet deadlines face humiliation or disciplinary threats. Employees say even genuine reasons for absence, such as sickness, are treated harshly, and reporting illness often results in financial penalties or job loss.
A source working on the site reached out to whistleblower Cyprian Is Nyakundi, narrating the ordeal faced by Kenyan workers.
The individual said that anyone who tries to speak up risks losing their job, and some have already been fired after unverified claims were made against them. They added that safety equipment on site is inadequate, leaving workers at risk of accidents and injuries.
The whistleblower also criticized the Resident Engineer assigned by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), accusing him of showing no concern for the welfare of Kenyan workers and failing to take necessary actions to address ongoing abuses.
The situation has led to growing calls for government intervention. Workers are urging the Ministry of Labour and KeNHA to step in and investigate the company’s practices, enforce safety regulations, and ensure fair treatment of employees.
They argue that while CICO has a record of successful international projects, its operations in Kenya have become a symbol of disregard for local labour rights.
What was meant to be a transformative road project has instead turned into a site of suffering for many Kenyan workers, who now see their contribution to national development overshadowed by exploitation and fear.
Their appeal for intervention is a plea for justice and dignity hoping that the relevant authorities will finally take notice and hold the company accountable for the alleged mistreatment taking place behind the fences of the Kitale-Morpus Road project.
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