Rongai matatu operators protest 'police harassment'
Matatu operators plying the Ongata Rongai route block Lang'ata Road to protest against alleged police harassment on November 3, 2015. Nairobi MCAs passed a Motion to kick out all public service vehicles from the city centre. PHOTO | MAUREEN KAKAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Commuters were stranded Tuesday morning after matatu operators blocked Lang'ata Road to protest against alleged harassment by traffic police.
The operators of the public service vehicle plying the Ongata Rongai route blocked the road for more than one hour after some of them were stopped by traffic police.
The officers directed the matatu drivers to wait as they could not immediately issue summonses to them.
The police claimed they had to wait for the book containing notices before they could issue summonses to the drivers.
Matatu operators plying the Ongata Rongai route block Lang'ata Road to protest against alleged police harassment on November 3, 2015. PHOTO | MAUREEN KAKAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The police declined to release the vehicles even after stranded passengers pleaded with them to record the number plates of the affected matatus.
The police did not allow the vehicles to leave even after the book was brought to them.
Matatu drivers claimed they were being harassed for using the bypass.
"We cannot wake up early to beat traffic jams then be held at ransom by the traffic police yet we have not committed any offence,” said a matatu driver.
