NANDI, Kenya – Transport was briefly disrupted in Kapsabet, Nandi County, on Monday after workers at the Chesumei Affordable Housing Project protested over three weeks of unpaid wages.
Dozens of workers contracted to the Chesumei Affordable Housing Project in Kapsabet took to the streets on Monday, August 24, demanding payment of wages they say have remained outstanding for 21 days.
The protest briefly disrupted transport along major roads through Kapsabet Town as workers barricaded sections of the highway using tyres and tree branches.
The demonstration affected motorists travelling between Eldoret and Kapsabet towards Kisumu, as well as those travelling between Nandi County and Vihiga and Kakamega. Traffic along the Kericho-Kapsabet route was also affected.
The workers were seen carrying placards and twigs as they called for their outstanding wages to be settled.
Workers demand payment
The protesters accused the contractor handling the affordable housing project of failing to honour their contractual obligations.
They claimed that Sh27 million had been set aside for workers’ wages at the project but said they had not received payment for three weeks.
One worker said the delay had left employees struggling to meet basic household expenses, particularly with schools expected to reopen.
“It has been three weeks now, I do not have a single coin in my pockets, and schools are about to open. We are worried about where we are going to get the school fees.”
Another protester said workers would not resume their duties until their wages were paid.
“It has been 21 days since we were last paid. We are not holding any tools on our hands until the government honors its part of the agreement.”
The workers called on President William Ruto to intervene and ensure they receive their full wages.
Affordable housing programme faces funding challenges
The protest comes amid wider financial challenges facing Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme.
Principal Secretary in the State Department for Housing Charles Hinga has previously said the State faces a financing deficit of about Sh400 billion required to complete more than 2,000 housing units, including associated project costs.
The Affordable Housing Programme has been promoted by the government as both a housing initiative and a source of employment, particularly for young people and workers in the construction sector.
The Kapsabet workers say the government’s commitment to creating employment through the programme must also be matched by timely payment of wages.
Transport disruption in Kapsabet
The demonstrations temporarily affected movement through one of Nandi County’s key commercial centres.
Motorists using routes linking Kapsabet with Eldoret, Kisumu, Kericho, Vihiga and Kakamega were among those affected by the disruption.
It remained unclear when normal operations at the project would resume as the workers maintained their protest over the unpaid wages.
Authorities had not, at the time of reporting, issued a detailed response to the workers’ claims or confirmed when the outstanding payments would be made.
