Transport paralysed in Meru Town as matatus protest against ‘harassment’ by OCS

ewTransport to and from Meru Town was Thursday morning paralysed as matatu operators blocked key roads to protest alleged harassment by a senior police officer.

The operators who lit tyres in Meru Town and on roads leading to Isiolo, Maua, Embu and Nanyuki, demanded the removal of the Meru Police Station OCS Joseph Kyoyo.

They used huge stones to block roads hindering movement as they chanted anti-Kyoyo slogans.

The demonstrators accused police of demanding bribes from them and arresting those who do not give bribes.

“We are tired with Mr Kyoyo. He is not ready to help those who need his services as an OCS.

“We will close all the roads linking Meru Town until he is removed from the station,” said John Kinoti, one of the operators.

OCS DENIES CLAIMS

However, the OCS refuted the claims saying some of the operators were engaged in crime, did not adhere to traffic rules and that they were only fighting him for doing his work.

“A group of matatu operators destroyed their colleague’s vehicle due to personal differences.

“When I intervened and arrested some culprits they insisted that the owner should be arrested too.

“After investigations we noted that the owner had not done anything wrong and that was the main cause of their demonstration.

“They want me to release the suspect despite arraigning him before court on Wednesday,” the OCS explained.

Mr Kinoti said a senior police officer was demanding Sh200 from them daily and confiscates driving licenses and other documents from those who fail to give the money.

“Even sex workers in the town are supposed to give him Sh200 daily before they go on with their business and if one refuses, she is chased away from the streets,” he added.

TRAVELLERS STRANDED

Hundreds of travellers and motorists were stranded following the demonstrations that also paralysed businesses in Meru Town and its environs.

Meru Central Coffee Co-operatives Union chief executive Fred Mburugu said the organisation had incurred a loss of between Sh750,000 and Sh1 million in sales due to the demo.

The union’s petrol station, factories and hotels were closed due to the protests.

Mr Mburugu called for peaceful demos to avoid hurting businesses.

The chaos also forced students heading home for mid-term break to walk for long distances in search of transport.

The protestors mainly blocked the roads at Riverland, Makutano and Ruiri effectively denying motorists access to Meru Town.

POLICE OVERWHELMED

Police were overwhelmed as they tried to clear the roads with the protestors returning the stones on the road and lighting tyres immediately the officers moved to quell chaos in other places.

On Monday, the taxi men, who usually ply the Meru-Kemu, Ruiri, and Gitoro routes said police were harassing despite complying with traffic regulations.

Meru Woman Representative Florence Kajuju addressed the drivers and owners of more than 400 taxis before holding a meeting with police bosses.

The protestors accused police officers and officials from the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) of victimising them for refusing to give bribes.

They claimed that they were unfairly targeted as their counterparts operating on the other routes like the Meru-Nkubu road worked smoothly.