Mandera taxi operators protest over slow vehicle registration by KRA

Taxi in Mandera Town on October 8, 2015. Some operators have protested at what they term as slow registration of vehicles bought from neighbouring countries. They want KRA to speed up the process as their vehicles have been grounded for eight months now. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kulo said they are suffering heavy losses and accused KRA of laxity in registering the vehicles.
  • Some operators claimed security agents are using the impounded vehicles in their operations.
  • Mandera County police boss Job Boronjo confirmed that more than 100 vehicles were impounded at the request of KRA officials.
  • He said the impounding of the taxis had reduced terror activities in the border town.

Taxi operators in Mandera Town have protested over what they say is slow registration of their motor vehicles by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

Their vehicles were impounded eight months ago and are yet to be released to them with new number plates.

More than 20 operators who spoke to Nation.co.ke Thursday after their plans to hold a demonstration to push for the release of the vehicles aborted said most of the vehicles were purchased from neighbouring Somalia.

“I purchased my vehicle from Somalia for Sh400,000 and paid another Sh100,000 to cross the border into Kenya. But the police together and KRA officers have turned against us and more than 120 taxis are rotting at the military camp,” said Mr Abdi Kulo.

Mr Kulo said they are suffering heavy losses and accused KRA of laxity in registering the vehicles.

“El Niño rains are coming. Our vehicles will probably rot or be washed away and it will be better if the government releases them back to us to avoid these loses,” said Mr Kulo.

Some operators claimed security agents are using the impounded vehicles in their operations.

DOUBLE STANDARDS

“We see some of our vehicles on the road driven by military and police officers and yet they claim that they are not duly registered. Why the double standards?” posed a taxi operator.

When reached for comment, Mandera County Police Commander Job Boronjo confirmed that more than 100 vehicles were impounded at the request of KRA officials.

“We are waiting for KRA to finalise the data collection and registration for the vehicles then provide genuine number plates before we release them to the owners,” said Mr Boronjo.

He said the impounding of the taxis had reduced terror activities in the border town.

The police boss said terrorists have been using vehicles with fake registrations to plan and execute attacks.

“We want to streamline taxi operations in the town by registering the vehicles afresh and we ask the owners to be patient since KRA is working around the clock to do this,” said Mr Boronjo.