Matatus accuse truck drivers of harassment on Nakuru-Eldoret highway

Matatu drivers plying the Salgaa-Sobea stretch along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway have complained about harassment by drivers of heavy commercial vehicles.

They said that the situation risks exposing them to road accidents, on the route which has several black-spots.

The matatu drivers claimed that the long-distance truck drivers feel that the latter don't have the right of way when using the highways.

"They (truck drivers) feel our vehicles are too small and don't have the right of way in using the highways, and yet we are equally licensed and insured and equally pay taxes. They feel we are wasting their time on highways and roadblocking them in the course of their journey," said Steve Muraya of Timboroa Line Sacco.

They were speaking when the Rift Valley Regional National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and National Police Service inspected their vehicles at the Railways Matatu Terminus in Nakuru city as the gets ready for the festive season.

Muraya claimed that the truck drivers bully them to the extent that they feel insecure while carrying passengers.

"These truck drivers are the ones who cause most of these accidents along the Salgaa-Sobea route by free wheeling and overspeeding, hence causing unnecessary accidents," cautioned Muraya.

He appealed to the NTSA and the National Police Service to end the menace.

Rift Valley Regional NTSA Coordinator John Parteroi said it's just a matter of time before those misusing their goodwill will be arrested to face the law.

"These problems must come to an end, and we'll soon arrest these traffic offenders and take them to court," he said in the presence of Nakuru County Traffic Police Commander Allan Ogola and the County's Executive for Roads and Public Works, Michàel Kamau when hundreds of matatus underwent the inspection.

He warned the truck drivers that their days are numbered on the Trans African Highway, which serves East and Central Africa and the Great Lakes region.