Commuters suffer as matatu strike in Thika enter day two

Thika West OCPD Paul Kiriki, Assistant traffic police commandant Mary Omari and the Thika West Traffic Base Commander Hellen Wamuyu at Thika stadium during the road safety awareness for matatu,Tuk tuk and boda boda operators meeting on Tuesday yesterday.[PHOTO:KAMAU MAICHUHIE]

Residents of Makongeni and Kiganjo estates in Thika have been stranded for the last two days following a matatu strike.

The 2TS Sacco matatus, which ply the two routes, kept off the roads on Tuesday over alleged harassment by traffic police officers. Moses Ngaruiya, a conductor, accused the officers from Thika police station of arbitrary arrests and extortion.

 "The officers demand money and those who refuse to give the cash are arrested," he said.

Antony Muraya, a driver, said it was increasingly becoming difficult to operate in the routes due to harassment by police. Area traffic boss Hellen Wamuyu said they would not tolerate corruption on roads, which she blamed for an increase in road accidents.