Ballast, sand and stone transporters in Maili Sita, Bahati have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the county government of Nakuru to remove cess barriers on the busy Nyahururu-Nakuru highway.
Addressing media at Kiamaina Centre on Tuesday after holding peaceful demonstrators, the transporters accused county officers of using the cess barriers to solicit bribes.
The traders led by Sita Equity Transporters Geoffrey Warui Chege said they have been harassed by the officers.
He said they are asked Sh400 to Sh1300 bribe.
“We have talked to the county government as traders but they have failed to listen and that is why we are saying if they cannot act we shall remove the barriers ourselves,” said Chege.
Sentiments echoed by Sita Equity Sacco Onesmus Muya.
“Our appeal is that all these cess barriers be transferred to our boundaries with other sub-counties. We are also worried with some cartels within the county government who are out to compete with us,” said Muya.
Area MP Onesmus Kimani Ngunjiri, however, called on the traders not to act before the 7-days ultimatum lapse.
“We have so many cess barriers in Bahati and we are saying enough is enough. My constituents will not take the law in their hands but after seven days if the county will not act then the traders have a right to remove the cess barriers,” said Ngunjiri.
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