A demonstration organised by KUPPET Kisii branch on Tuesday to compel the government to comply with a court order of giving teachers a pay rise turned chaotic as angry boda boda riders turned on teachers accusing them of paralysing businesses.
Teachers had blocked major entrances to the CBD, affecting both matatu and bodaboda businesses in the South Nyanzan town.
Trouble began when teachers prolonged their blockade as they chanted anti-TSC slogans along the hospital road, with boda boda operators becoming impatient.
The operators, led by their organising secretary Wallace Ombiro accused teachers of causing havoc in a rather peaceful town.
“We are very peaceful people and whoever makes our life difficult ought to pay for it. They are on the pay roll and some of us have children to take care of and we live by the grace of God. It is therefore uncouth for them to block the road hence paralyzing businesses,” he said.
However, the teachers, led by Marani South Secretary Boniface Omandi blamed the operators for the standstill, and demanded that those who interrupted peaceful demonstrations to be apprehended.
“We are very peaceful people but some of us have been attacked for no good reason. We have a right to demonstrate and the police must bring to book those who attacked us,” he said.
The chaos between the two groups was combated after Kisii Police officers responded by using diplomatic means to bring the two groups together.