Kenyan workers protest over racist German manager who fled the country

Workers at the Thiba Dam in Kirinyaga County downed their tools in protest over attacks by a German manager who is said to have fled the country.

Activities at the Ksh.20billion construction site were paralyzed for hours after the irate workers demanded that their grievances be addressed.

Also Read: German,47, grilled over racist remarks, assault of construction workers in Kirinyaga

The workers said Hinteregger Yugen, who works for Strabag International, had physically assaulted them on several occasions despite complaints registered to the police.

“Our manager Yugen is a violent person canning even aged workers. Today he threatened to beat me and after I tried pleading with him to forgive me, he got mad threw a metallic door at me. I had to shout for help,” said another worker.

According to their spokesman Kennedy Maina, they have been working under conditions of fear, intimidation and threats.

On Tuesday, area MP Gichimu Githinji called a meeting with the workers and their management to sort out the issue.

MP Gichimu said he would follow up the matter assuring them that police have reached out to Interpol to trace the missing manager.

However, Gichugu OCPD Anthony Mbogo refused to comment on the matter.

Report by Thuku Bon