Kenyans must gather the courage to tackle issues to do with work ethic, government spokesman Eric Kiraithe has said following reports of the mistreatment of SGR workers.
In a statement issued at the KICC in Nairobi on Wednesday, Kiraithe wondered why foreigners are in the country since “they are not more qualified than we are”.
“They do not come because they have the experience,” he said.
He added: “I am not saying any worker should be discriminated and humiliated in the work place but we must all appreciate that the operations of a modern train is a profession that calls for military standard discipline.”
The spokesman noted that the government is at hand to protect the rights and dignity of every Kenyan citizen but added that workers have to learn how things are done instead of complaining in the media.
“Inward looking, haki yetu (our right) centered personalities have no place in this kind of profession, [not now or in the future]. They are the first crop of Kenyans employed on this project and the culture they entrench will determine whether in less that 10 years we shall depend on them,” he said.
“It would be very unfortunate if after the agreed period, we continue relying on expatriates. it is important that they shift their focus from short term diversions to the challenge at hand.”