Employers urge Ruto, Raila to embrace dialogue, say anxiety of demos affecting productivity
Kenyan Employers have urged President William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga to embrace dialogue saying the demos are impacting the economy negatively.
The Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE) CEO Jacqueline Mugo says anxiety about demos is affecting the productivity of workers.
“The workers’ productivity is depressed due to the anxiety and uncertainty that comes with the protests. For an economy that is dealing with high unemployment, food shortages, climate change impact, the protests are worsening the economic situation. It is my hope that our leaders will rise to the occasion and begin working towards finding a lasting solution to the challenges we face,” she said in a statement.
She added that the constant interferences to Kenyans’ daily activities, destructions of property, loss of life, vandalism and other undesirable occurrences were diminishing Kenya’s “attractiveness” to potential investors.
“The economy cannot bear the disruptions we are witnessing. We are seeing the destruction of property, loss of life, vandalism and other undesirable occurrences. Kenya’s attractiveness to investors, tourists and businesses is diminishing by the day due to these actions. FKE condemns any destruction of property and endangering of life by any person,” she said.
She urged lawmakers to improve public participation and parliamentary processes through, for example, amending the law to provide that the passing of the budget in parliament shall be by two-thirds majority of elected members of parliament.
Mugo further urged leaders to consider their impact on future generations with the decisions they make.
Chaos rocked various parts of the country during day two of the anti-government protests with running battle being witnessed between the police and protesters.
Three protesters have so far been shot and seriously injured by police in Mlolongo, Machakos County, during the protests.
Nairobi expressway services were halted at Mlolongo, Syokimau and SGR toll stations after vandalism by protesters.