Lorry drivers, loaders strike over bad road

By Ferdinand Mwongela and Patrick Beja

Lorry drivers and loaders at Mavoko Municipal’s quarry want the access road from the quarry to Mlolongo shopping centre fixed.

On Monday, lorries were parked on the road in protest, covering more than a kilometre.

The group made the quarry inaccessible and demanded that council officials and the Minister for Local Government Musalia Mudavadi address their grievances.

They burnt the council’s offices at the quarry and demanded that some council employees at the quarry be replaced.

The protestors confronted a Mr Nyaga and attempted to beat him.

A frightened Nyaga pleaded for his life before two Administration Police officers saved him by cocking their guns to scare the crowd that was throwing stones at them.

The drivers and loaders complained that despite paying Sh600 per trip for a lorry and Sh2,000 for trailers, the council had neglected the rough road, causing them losses since their employers forced them to pay for worn out parts.

James Mureithi, a driver, said the rough road also affects their health, causing them chest problems resulting from too much steering on the rough roads.

In addition, they are forced to pay more to the Nairobi City Council on their way. The loaders called on the local authority ministry to co-ordinate the councils so that they pay once.

They said construction companies had offered to fix the road in return for exemption from council fees but the council turned them down.

Elsewhere, truck owners grounded their vehicles and paralysed transportation of cargo at Mombasa Port and container freight stations.

The truckers protesting the introduction of parking fees by Mombasa Municipal Council said they had withdrawn more than 1,000 vehicles.

Kenya Transport Association (KTA) Secretary Paul Maiyo said they had boycotted moving cargo from the port, Grain Bulk Handlers Limited and the CFSs until the council withdraws the gazette notice on the new parking fees.

"The strike will continue until our demands are addressed," Mr Maiyo said.

Transport and Allied Workers Union (Tawu) backed the truck owners and demanded that tendering for the parking services be advertised to allow competitive bidding.

Not involved

Tawu Mombasa Branch Secretary Joseph Onyango claimed stakeholders were not involved prior to the establishment of parking yards in Miritini, Kibarani, Magongo and Changamwe, operated by Summit Cove Logistics on behalf of the council.

Mombasa Town Clerk Tubmun Otieno says the deal has been struck and truck owners must comply with regulations endorsed by Mr Mudavadi. The truckers said they lost business worth Sh100 million on Monday.

A spot check confirmed low activity at the port as the vehicles were parked in the transporters’ yards and drivers were idle.

Maiyo addressed the Press accompanied by KTA Organising Secretary Sam Machio and executive committee member Ibrahim Pasta.

Kenya Maritime Authority has been mandated to arbitrate in the dispute.