By Peter John

Construction works at the Ogembo Affordable Housing site in Kisii County were on Monday brought to a standstill after workers staged protests over delayed wages.

More than 200 workers downed their tools and blocked the Ogembo–Ikoba road, disrupting transport as they demanded payment of salary arrears.

The agitated group accused site managers of making repeated promises without honouring them, despite the workers being on a weekly pay arrangement.

The protesters said they had gone for over a month without receiving their dues, leaving many unable to meet basic needs. Some claimed they had been evicted from their houses due to rent arrears.

“We have worked for a full month without pay. How are we expected to survive?” lamented one worker during the demonstration.

Another questioned government priorities, saying: “How is it that money is available to deploy police against us, but not to pay us?”

The workers also directed their frustrations at President William Ruto, referencing his expected visit to the area. “Mr President, you said you will come to Ogembo on the 12th.

How will you come when we have not been paid?” posed one protester.

Anti-riot police were deployed to disperse the demonstrators and restore calm in the area.

A site official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, admitted that operations had been affected, noting that normal work would only resume once payments are made to the workers.

The Ogembo project, part of the government’s Affordable Housing Programme, is currently estimated to be 44 percent complete.

Similar concerns have emerged at the Masimba Affordable Housing site, where workers have also reported delays in wage payments, raising fears of wider unrest across ongoing housing projects in the region.