Commuters protest high matatu fares

By Michael Wesonga

Commuters in Eldoret town are protesting the high fares charged by matatu operators.

The operators have raised transport cost by more than 50 per cent since the introduction of new traffic regulations over a week ago.

The commuters now want the Government to rein in the operators for the unilateral decision to increase fares.

“We want the Michuki (the late John Michuki) style of cracking down on these exploitative matatus. When he was Transport minister he ordered police to arrest those increasing fares without justification,” lamented Paul Tarus, an Eldoret resident.

Determined to win

The residents threatened to hold demonstrations in the town against the move to raise fares.

As this was going on, Eldoret base commander Humphrey Abai said they had netted over 100 motorists since the start of the new traffic rules last Saturday.

Chief Inspector Abai said most of the offenders were public service vehicle operators fond of flouting traffic rules.

He cited driving without licence, touting, driving without uniforms and motorcyclists riding without helmets and reflector jackets as the major violations.

“It is imperative for them to note that we are not going to relent in implementing the law as we are determined to break the impunity of the past,” he said. The matatu operators were among those who went on strike last Thursday to protest the new rules.

Eldoret was virtually reduced to a walking town as the unexpected strike came without a warning, but now the residents have to grapple with increased fares.

“They are very unfair, how can they increase the fare for artificial reasons like carrying the required number of passengers? They are used to gaining more from overloading,” said Rose Cherop, a resident.

The commuters supported the new laws saying they would return sanity on the roads.

“I foresee fewer accidents on our roads if all stakeholders strictly adhere to the new stipulations. I now have peace of mind while on our roads,” John Sitati, a regular commuter said.