MPs Issue Fresh Demand Over Dangote Refinery Recruitment

MPs have renewed calls for diversity and inclusivity in the recruitment of workers for the multi-billion-shilling Dangote Oil Refinery project in Lamu County.

The National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities Committee is stepping up its oversight of the recruitment process to ensure employment opportunities arising from the project are distributed fairly and in line with the law.

Speaking on Thursday, October 1, Committee Chairperson Adan Yusuf Haji said the project was expected to create thousands of jobs once the refinery becomes operational, making it necessary to ensure the recruitment process reflects the country’s diversity.

"Dangote has indicated that the firm will hire 60,000 employees in different cadres once the refinery becomes operational. The Committee seeks to ensure diversity, inclusivity and good governance in the staff recruitment exercise," he said.

Haji said the same standards should be observed during the construction phase, where workers would also be required to support the project.

"The same principles should apply to the recruitment of workers who will be hired to provide manpower during the construction of the Ksh2 trillion refinery," he added.

Haji said the Committee would continue monitoring the recruitment exercise as part of its constitutional oversight responsibilities. 

He noted that particular attention would be given to compliance with Article 10 of the Constitution, which provides for national values and principles of governance, including inclusiveness, social justice and protection of marginalized groups.

The Committee also called on residents of Lamu to actively pursue the employment opportunities expected to arise from the refinery project.

Haji said the company had committed to giving priority to members of the local communities when recruiting workers, while urging residents to apply whenever positions are advertised.

"Lamu people should be proactive when jobs are advertised. Persons with disabilities should also avail themselves for the job opportunities at the firm to promote inclusivity," he stated.

As part of its oversight programme, the Committee will hold a retreat in Mombasa later this month, where three government agencies will be required to explain measures they have taken to ensure the company adheres to legal requirements governing recruitment.

The agencies expected to appear before the Committee are the Public Service Commission, the Department of Petroleum and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission.

The Committee’s October programme also includes engagements with senior officials from other public institutions on employment diversity and related issues.

The Commissioner General of Prisons, the Chief Executive Officer of the Teachers Service Commission, the Director General of the Kenya National Highways Authority, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director General of the Business Registration Service are expected to appear before the Committee to account for employment diversity within their respective institutions.

The Committee will also use the retreat to consider a compendium containing six reports on employment diversity in public institutions.

Elsewhere, President William Ruto has claimed that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was pushed by his 'sponsor' to demand the Dangote Lamu Refinery contract agreement.

Speaking earlier Thursday, Ruto said Sifuna's sponsors had a sinister motive when asking to see the agreement between the government and the Dangote Group that allowed the establishment of the refinery.

"I heard Mr Empty, one of 'Shiny things', asking about the agreements between the government and the Dangote Group on the Lamu Refinery. I looked at him and realised that first, he has been sent by the sponsor," he stated

Ruto claimed that they wanted to find a way in so that they could extort the investor, Aliko Dangote, just as they did when he wanted to set up a cement factory in the country. 

"If you want the agreement, you know the procedure to ask for it through Parliament. However, I know that you want the agreement so that you subject Dangote to what you did to him the other time.

"I want to tell you, the conmanship you did that made Dangote abandon his quest to set up a cement factory in Kenya, you will not do it with this refinery. I am watching you keenly, and you will not extort anybody anymore; I will not allow you," he added.