Tuk tuk Owners and Drivers Association (TODA) in Mombasa County have come out to defend themselves over claims that their operations in the central business district were promoting crime.
TODA chairperson Obedi Muruli told those saying they should stop operating in town to give them other alternatives since that is their only way to earn a living.
“Those who want to remove us I believe they are learned, instead of blaming our sector they should give us other alternatives,” said Muruli.
Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) chairperson James Mureu representing businessmen in the county on Monday called for reduction of the number of tuk tuks in the city's CBD.
According to Mureu, tuk tuk vehicles cause too much traffic jams and allow free flow crime because most robberies happen when there is clogged up traffic.
Muruli refuted claims of the business community in the county, saying their business was as relevant as theirs.
“They are lying, they are just looking after their big businesses, this tuk tuk business no matter how small it is they should respect it!'' he said.
This also comes after tourism stakeholders in Mombasa earlier on asked the county government to ban tuk tuk vehicles from the city centre, claiming that they cause a lot of traffic jams, affecting their businesses.