Digital taxi operators in the Nairobi city centre have reported that county askaris are robbing them in broad daylight. They say this happens mostly when they are picking or dropping off their customers at the city centre.
Some of the drivers who spoke to The Nairobian said, once a county askari gets into their taxis, they demand between Sh5,000 and Sh10,000 bribe.
"It has been like that for several months now. The askaris pounce on us when dropping clients or picking them. This is plain theft," James Wamae, a digital taxi driver said.
"Unlike matatus, taxis don't have designated dropping or picking areas but when the askaris get into the vehicle they come up with all kind of rules and bylaws," he explained.
The driver says traffic marshals within the city falsely accuse them of not having operation licences, stepping on yellow lines among other lies.
When asking for bribes, the drivers say the marshals direct them to deserted areas and alleys. When they do not comply, they are accused of not paying parking charges and other cases even when one has proof that they are in a taxi.
"The askaris are hungry and no longer do their job. We hope whoever will take over the city after elections will fix this problem," added another driver Albert Mutua.
Ryan Kanyandong who is the chairman of Digital Partners Society said they have raised the matter with the county, including asking for the creation of drop-off areas but their cries have been ignored.
He said initially there were drop-off and pickup zones which were supposed to be used for free along major streets but it is no longer the case due to conflicting interests.
"The vice is deeply rooted. In fact, rogue county council askaris sometimes book fake rides so that they can arrest drivers, it happens a lot, that thing has grown into extortion," he explained.
The chairman argues that according to bylaws; taxi drivers are supposed to have designated areas where they are not supposed to stop for more than five minutes.
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