One injured as workers protest poor working conditions
Lorries from the port of Mombasa stuck in traffic on September 4, 2015 when Hantex Garment Ltd workers in Mazeras blocked the highway. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The demonstrating workers paralysed transport on Mombasa – Nairobi following the Friday morning incident in Mazera, Kilifi County.
- The workers had downed their tools complaining that the firm had ignored addressing their grievances ranging from poor working conditions, mistreatment and low wages.
One person injured after being hit by a bullet on Friday when Hantex Garment (EPZ) Ltd workers protested poor working conditions at the firm.
The demonstrating workers paralysed transport on Mombasa – Nairobi following the Friday morning incident in Mazeras, Kilifi County.
Police officers who came to intervene were forced to fire in the air to disperse the workers after they (workers) started attacking the officers with stones.
It is during this confrontation that police shot one of the workers as they marched to Mazeras junction from their offices.
The angry workers lit tyres on the road blocking flow of traffic for over two hours before order was restored.
The injured, identified as Asia Kadada Abdalla, 19, was hit by a stray bullet in the head and rushed to Cost General Hospital while in critical condition.
Her mother, a resident of Boyani Village, Joyce Dzombo, was overcome with emotions as she wailed uncontrollably demanding to be shown where her daughter was.
She said she had just lost her husband a few weeks ago.
The workers had downed their tools complaining that the firm had ignored addressing their grievances ranging from poor working conditions, mistreatment and low wages.
Mariakani OCPD David Kirima managed to quell the angry workers that had taken control of the highway and defused tension at the factory gate where the suspect of the shooting, Rabai OCPD John Mastsili, was as the workers bayed for his blood.
Mr Kirima was then taken to the Rabai Police Station to record a statement over the incident.
