Protesters block road for hours

Motorcycle operators barricade the Nairobi-Mombasa road near Athi River town yesterday. They accused the Machakos county government of hiking the sticker levy from Sh200 to Sh300 monthly.  [PHOTO: PETERSON GITHAIGA/STANDARD]

By PETERSON GITHAIGA and VICTOR NZUMA

Transport along the Nairobi-Mombasa road near Athi River town was halted for several hours after the highway was barricaded by rioting motorcyclists and matatu operators.

The demonstrators were protesting the hiking of the motorcycle sticker levy by the Machakos county government. Motorists on the road were stranded for hours.

John Mungai, a tourist van driver, told reporters that he left Nairobi for Mombasa in the morning and by midday he was still stuck near the Athi River inter-change.

Several people heading for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport were forced to cancel their flights. Mohammed Abdi, who left Machakos town in the morning, had to cancel his flight to Abidjan after being stuck in the traffic jam for three hours.

The more than 600 protestors lit bonfires and blocked  the road with boulders, while others carried twigs and placards.

According to John Musembi, the boda boda operators were irked by the county government’s decision to hike the sticker levy from Sh200 to Sh300 monthly.

“We will not move until they change their decision on the sticker levy and also release our people who were arrested this morning,’’ said an angry Musembi.

The protestors also demanded that the Sh1,250 registration levy that was introduced by the council early this month be scrapped.

“We have been paying all this money to the council while the road we use is still in bad shape, let them repair the road first then we can pay what they want,” said John Okoth.

Efforts by Machakos County Commander Gidion Shamala to clear the road were fruitless as the protestors continued to burn tyres.

Later in the day, Machakos Senator Johnston Muthama flew to the scene and pleaded with the protestors to clear the road.

He accused the governor of imposing high taxes on the locals. He said if the rates were not streamlined to fit the locals’ needs, he would lead a another demonstration to push the agenda.

“If this young man (Mutua) continues this way, we will bring him down and make sure  he has no say in this county,” said Muthama.

The chairman of Wamasaa Travellers Sacco, Stephen Mbolonzi, said the levies were effected without consulting transporters.