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Commuters Desperate As Chaos Reigns

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Published on Saturday, 02 June 2007 07:18

Transport chaos reigned in most parts of Western Kenya.

In Kisumu, the strikers pulled out commuters from several vehicles and pelted them with stones before the police were called to maintain calm. The town's main streets were awash with commuters on foot on their way to work. Those travelling long-distances stood confused in sweltering heat. In Kisii, at least four buses had their windscreens shattered and passengers injured as matatu owners and touts pelted those that defied the strike.

In a convoy of five vehicles, the owners blocked the buses and ordered passengers to alight. The buses that resisted and attempted to drive away were pelted with stones and scores of travellers injured by stones and flying pieces of glass.

Kisii police boss Allan Sangoro said he had launched a hunt for the five matatus and their occupants who had driven towards Migori, harassing public service vehicles on the way. At the same time, Nyamira leaders led by Kitutu Masaba MP Mwancha Okioma and Narc's Timothy Bosire, urged Transport and Communications minister John Michuki to call an urgent meeting with the matatu stakeholders to find a quick solution to the standoff.

As they spoke, operators in Migori and Kuria districts demanded that Mr Michuki resign. Public transport was completely paralysed in Migori, Rongo, Awendo Isebania and Kehancha towns. "Instead of the Government addressing rampant corruption in the Traffic Police department and the dilapidated state of roads, we are singled out for harassment and intimidation," said Mr Bernard Okello, a matatu operator in Migori Town.
Hundreds of commuters, including school children, were stranded at various termini. Boda boda cyclists had a booming business. A Kenya Bus Service vehicle plying Migori/Kisii/Nairobi route sought police escort after the striking operators harassed the crew and threatened to set it ablaze.