Friday, July 12, 2024 - The United States government has told President William Ruto to start screening all the Chinese nationals working in Kenya.
The Joe Biden-led government raised concerns
over the trafficking of Chinese nationals working in Kenya.
In its 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, the
U.S. State Department revealed that there were instances of forced labour among
Chinese workers.
In particular, Chinese workers undertaking
various infrastructure projects were alleged to be experiencing forced labour.
Therefore, through screening, the US noted
that the government would identify those who have been trafficked and take
action against the perpetrators.
Some of the projects undertaken by the
Chinese include the Standard Guage Railway (SGR) and the Nairobi
Expressway.
"People’s Republic of China nationals
employed in Kenya at worksites affiliated with the PRC’s Belt and Road
Initiative were vulnerable to forced labour, particularly in
construction," read the statement in part.
On the other hand, the proposal on screening
was extended to other foreign nationals and Kenyans who are returning to the
country from abroad.
"Systematically and proactively identify
trafficking victims by screening vulnerable populations such as refugees,
asylum-seekers, individuals in commercial sex, Kenyan migrant workers returning
from overseas, and all foreign national workers," read the report in part.
Notably, Kenya is ranked among countries that have not tamed human trafficking incidents despite recent government
efforts to combat the vice.
In particular, the report highlighted child
trafficking and sex trafficking as major issues facing the country.
Equally, tracking of Kenyans to other
countries remains a concern. Specifically, Kenyans deployed to work in the
Middle East such as Saudi Arabia were still being harassed and mistreated.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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