COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli. He has accused Nairobi traffic police officers of being the agents of congestion in the city's major roads. [PHOTO/nairobiwire.com]
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has accused the Nairobi traffic police of causing traffic congestion in the city.
According to Atwoli, the traffic officers have refused to allow the traffic light system operate and instead have resorted to standing for long hours in the city's major roads to direct cars and in the process causing jam due to improper timing of the directions.
Speaking during the launch of COTU's 2017-2021 strategic plan held at the Tom Mboya college in Kisumu on Thursday, Atwoli compared Nairobi to the likes of Casablanca and Marrakesh of Morocco which he believes are having proper traffic light system yet they were once of the same standards as Nairobi.
"It is very funny to have police officers stand at major city roads and have them direct cars whereas it is the work of the traffic light system. They only cause more traffic snarl up in the city. That is why the likes of Marrakesh and Casablanca in Morocco, which were once at the caliber of Nairobi, are way ahead due to proper planning," said Atwoli.
Atwoli also urged the youth to vote wisely.
He believes the country can only forge forward if leaders are elected due to their work ethic and not tribal cocoons as dictated by the politics of 'strongholds'.
"The youth should come out and exercise their mandate during this electioneering period. They should elect leaders who have good work ethics who can transform the country. The youth should not engage in tribal politics as it will get them no employment or development," added Atwoli.