Uasin Gishu County Matatu Sacco’s Association chairman Fred Wamu wants the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to protect them from alleged police harassment.
Speaking to the press at Eldoret town on Thursday after holding a meeting with NTSA officials, Wamu alleged high harassment cases by the officers on Sacco’s members.
He said that over 100 cases of alleged harassment have been reported by members since the beginning of the year.
He asked the NTSA to intervene and address the allegations, so that their members can continue with their work comfortably.
“We have been receiving complaints from members that they are being harassed by police and county ‘askaris’, and call upon the NTSA to investigate and intervene,” he said.
The official said that their business is at risk if the government does not address their concerns, adding that PSVs play an important role in the economic growth and they deserve respect.
Wamu at the same time called on NTSA and other regulators in the industry to engage Sacco’s in decision making, and not sideline them when it comes to policy matters.
“NTSA must work with all stakeholders if indeed they want to restore sanity in the PSV sector,” he said.
Wamu said that they are often ready and willing to work with government agencies to ensure order in the sector.