Truck drivers cause snarl-up on Mombasa highway to protest graft claims

Traffic was disrupted at Mlolongo along Mombasa road Monday during a protest by truck drivers over alleged corruption and closure of access roads.

The protests by the drivers in the sand transport business, who operate between Machakos town and Mlolongo, caused a major traffic snarl-up that lasted for four hours. Police dispersed the protesters by lobbing tear gas canisters at them.

Moses Kitaka, a truck driver, pointed out they have been paying hefty fines at the weighbridge and recording minimal profits from the business. "We have families that depend on us and some of us resort to crime because we lack a better option," he said.

The drivers further lamented that the access road they use behind Mlolongo town had been closed and urged the Government to make it operational.

"We want our road opened so that business can continue as usual. The U-turns to get to Mlolongo have been blocked using barriers and authorities say it is now a preserve of trucks from Changarawe," Kitaka said.

According to Kitaka, a lorry owner pays up to Sh100,000 a month at the weighbridge and a fine of Sh400,000 in court in case they default on the payment.

Speaking on phone, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau condemned the move to block the access road, saying it was uncalled-for. "Those operating at the weighbridge ought not to have closed the access road used by the drivers. They have no authority and should focus on manning the highway. Other locals in the area are also affected by the move due to a decline in business," said Makau. The MP, however, condemned the protest.

Athi River OCPD Kizito Mutoro also condemned the protests. "The demonstration was not legal because we had not been notified. It is not the first time we have had such cases and those who feel aggrieved should walk into the relevant offices to register their concerns," he said.

He added: "At the moment, the protests do not warrant any arrest but we are going to be here for the rest of the day to make sure normalcy prevails."

The incident comes days after a similar incident occurred at the Gilgil weighbridge, where Nandi MP Alfred Keter was involved in a bitter exchange of words with police officers while demanding the release of detained lorries.