Sand loaders and transporters in Isiolo County have staged protests against what they term exploitation and discrimination at sites across Burat Ward.

They alleged youths from other areas have been barred from engaging in sand loading activities, a situation that has rendered over 500 youths jobless.

Led by the Chairperson of Isiolo Transporters Association Ben Mugambi, the lorry owners and sand loaders alleged extortion by a section of the host community, with unidentified people erecting barriers along the road and demanding money, despite the transporters having paid official fees to both the County Government and the community.

The sand loaders also protested against a letter they received ostensibly from an association of the local host community, barring sand loaders from outside Burat ward from engaging in loading activities in the area from January 23.

They raised concerns the over 500 sand loaders who have now been rendered jobless could resort to crime.

They made an appeal to Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo’s administration to move with speed and resolve the stalemate.

Peter Lopeyo, who has been a sand loader for 39 years, said that he hadn’t witnessed such demands from the host community before.

"Sand loaders who comprise youths from every ethnic community have been coexisting peacefully," he said.

The county government is yet to respond to the grievances.