President William Ruto on Monday, March 6, castigated bosses who asked women for dates in exchange for job opportunities.
Speaking during the launch of an affordable housing project in Starehe constituency, Nairobi, the President condemned the harassment of women, especially in those in the informal sector.
Ruto specifically warned managers in the construction industry that he would not condone exploitation of women.
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"Many women who work in construction sites are being frustrated by their bosses, with some asking for dates and other unmentionable things.
"The women have come to work, not to go on dates. If you as a boss want one, go and look for it elsewhere," Ruto remarked.
In addition, the President demanded that developers who would work with the government provide adequate social amenities for women in the construction sites.
"Women are forced to share washrooms with men in construction sites. Let them have separate ablution facilities so that we can dignify women working in construction sites," Ruto ordered.
The Head of State charged the Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary (CS) Zacharia Njeru to see to it that more women are employed in the construction industry.
Ruto's remarks came in the wake of a BBC expose on the sexual harassment of female tea pickers in various tea farms in Kericho County.
The investigative report exposed how highly-placed individuals in companies contracted by the tea producers solicited sexual favours from women seeking job opportunities.
Four managers implicated in the expose have since gone into hiding. Police officers investigating the matter revealed that witnesses and victims had not turned up to record statements.
Meanwhile, some of the companies owning the tea firms terminated their contracts with the subcontractors named in the expose and absorbed all their staff.
