By Cyrus Ombati
Confusion clouded the three-day matatu strike set to kick off today as the owners’ association announced it had been called off even as the welfare organisation vowed it was on.
Matatu operators called off the planned countrywide strike to protest alleged police harassment after a meeting with Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere. But as the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) made the announcement the strike, timed to coincide with opening of schools for maximum impact, would not pull off, the influential Matatu Welfare Association (MWA), which is composed of touts and drivers, vowed it would go on until their grievances were addressed.
Scenes witnessed during a similar strike last year, forcing commuters to scramble for space atop an already overcrowded train. Photo: File/Standard |
This brought to confusion on what will happen today as most schools reopen and workers troop to urban areas after the end of the holiday season. MWA chairman Mr Dickson Mbugua told The Standard the strike would take place as earlier communicated. "As far as we are concerned as MWA, the strike is on. I am now in a meeting with over 200 officials to chart the way forward. We have not called off our strike," said Mbugua.
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Mbugua was holed up in a meeting with other MWA officials at a city hotel. It started after that of the MOA ended.
MOA officials met Iteere to seek his assurance of police protection today when they take their vehicles to the roads for business as usual. They expressed fears the rival MWA had hired goons to attack and/or force matatus off the road.
"We understand there are hooligans who have been hired to attack our vehicles but all we want from your side is protection. Our business is to ensure people travel to their destinations peacefully," said MOA chairman Mr Simon Kimutai.
Kimutai said some of those calling for the strike do not own a single matatu and were behind the cause of the alleged police harassment.
Arbitrary arrest
Mbugua’s team last week gave notice of the strike from today to protest alleged harassment, arbitrary arrest and extortion by police.
MOA termed the strike ill-advised, as it would punish innocent children and other workers who commute on the Public Service Vehicles.
Sunday’s MOA meeting was a follow-up of another held last week, which was organised by transport Permanent Secretary Mr Cyrus Njiru.
After the meeting, Kimutai announced on behalf of about100 MOA members present their grievances were being addressed by the State and those calling for the strike were acting in bad faith.
He said as MOA bought their vehicles on loans and the strike would affect repayments. An MWA official attended the meeting and promised to brief his group on the deliberations before they could decide on the way forward.
Michuki rules
As the meeting progressed, a group of youth dropped leaflets around the city saying the strike was on. There were fears hooligans may take advantage of the strike to attack operators who bring their vehicles to the road.
But Iteere said contingents of police had been mobilised in the city, other urban areas and highways to ensure those who defy the strike would not be harmed or their vehicles damaged.
"A criminal act during this period will be dealt with accordingly. We will be on the roads to ensure people carry on with their activities normally. Some of those calling for the strike are criminals and will be dealt with accordingly," he said.
Mr Iteere said undercover police, GSU, regular and Administrative Police will be on patrol and have already infiltrated the gangs that are behind circulation of the leaflets.
He told the matatu owners that no rule would be bent and asked them to ensure their vehicles were in good condition and they must also observe the so-called Michuki rules.
"We are there to enforce the law and we want the owners here to ensure none of their vehicles are in bad condition. We will deal with police officers who demand bribes internally," he added. Njiru and Iteere last week convened the talks at Transcom House, but there was no agreement reached.
Whereas Njiru announced they had agreed to call off the strike, MWA addressed a separate press conference saying it would go on.
On Sunday Traffic Commandant Joseph ole Tito dared those who want to violently disrupt public transport to do so, vowing the will have a taste of the wrath of law as his officers were on guard.
