Matatu operators in strike threat

By Abigael Sum

Kenya: Matatu operators have threatened to stage a nationwide strike if the Government does not stop the on-going crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles.

The Matatu Owners Association (MOA) and the Matatu Welfare Association yesterday issued a three-day ultimatum for the Government to halt the round-up exercise and engage them in dialogue to work out an effective system to curb the road safety agenda.

The National Coordinator of MOA, Albert Karagacha said traffic officers take advantage of the crackdown operation and extort money from matatu owners and operators.

“The traffic police use this exercise as an avenue to make money. We are fed up with the corruption on our roads and the crackdown has to stop immediately. We are not going to wait. If the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo is not going to listen to us, we will halt public transport operations,” said Karagacha.

He said there is need to have a roundtable consultation of all the stakeholders to come up with long term solutions to rid-off rogue matatu operations from the roads and curb traffic accidents. Kenneth Micheni from MOA faulted the police for not taking preventive measures in curbing road accidents.