- Title: KENYA: Thousands of commuters left stranded by ongoing transport strike
- Date: 5th January 2010
- Summary: (SOUNDBIRE) (Kiswahili) DANSON MWANGI, NAIROBI RESIDENT, SAYING; "Today, I have walked to the city centre but I support the strike because if they can maintain the strike, the police will cease harassing them. They will see that people are tired and they will stop harassing the matatu operators. I have walked for two hours from Dandora to town - I walked." (SOUNDBITE) (En
- Embargoed: 20th January 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: Domestic Politics,Transport
- Reuters ID: LVA3JUYT3LO95FGIMPMHOGOXW1AS
- Story Text: Thousands of Kenyans walked long distances to and from work on Tuesday (January 5) as private minibuses were on strike for a second day.
The strike by the "Matatus" was called as owners and operators complained of excessive harassment by police.
Normally busy bus stops were deserted as the minibuses stayed parked off their normal routes. There were reports that a few who had tried to operate were attacked and forced to abandon their operations.
Matatu owners are protesting extortion by policemen. They say that even when their vehicles are in proper condition they are forced to bribe the police to avoid beng arrested on trumped up charges.
"We are not illegal investors, we are legal investors and we normally say that you would rather do drugs business in this country than do a Matatu business simply because when you are doing drugs business you will make a lot of money and the way they can get hold of you, chances are very slim. But with the matatu business, you see you are not making money, and the little you are making, these guys are coming for it," said owner David Gitehi, standing next to his blue matatu.
Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki ordered police to ensure matatus operated within the law and ordered crackdown on defective ones during the festive season to avoid deaths on roads.
Matatus have been blamed for causing road accidents by overloading, speeding and quite frequently driving dangerously. Some drivers and touts have been accused of going on duty while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Despite having to walk for long distances, some Nairobi residents were quite supportive of the industrial action.
"Today, I have walked to the city centre but I support the strike because if they can maintain the strike, the police will cease harassing them," said Danson Mwangi.
Others expressed hope the situation could be resolved quickly.
"I don't support it at all, they need to come into a consensus with the government and come back to work because surely we can do nothing at all without the matatus, we are just wasting time," said Paul Gomba, who faced an 8 kilometre (5 mile) journey home after work.
Matatu operators say they lose billions of shillings every year due to extortion from police and organised militia groups which control the routes.
In 2003, the matatus went on strike after the then transport minister John Michuki cracked down on their operations.
After several days, the matatus relented and returned to work. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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