Matatu operators in Kisumu have announced that they will conduct protests daily until the government speeds up road construction in the region.
Matatu and bus fares in Kisumu soared by over 100% on Monday evening, with touts attributing the hike to deplorable road conditions.
The main route affected was the Kakamega road stretch to Mamboleo from the CBD where travelers were compelled to pay between Sh50 and 100, as opposed to the traditional Sh20.
The price hike left travellers scrambling for the few available matatus as word went round that some operators had withdrawn their vehicle owing to the bad conditions of Kakamega up to Mamboleo junction.
Earlier on Monday, matatu touts and boda-boda operators barricaded the road at Mamboleo where they staged a protest demanding that the company constructing the road speeds-up the construction.
Police had to move in and lob teargas canisters in a move to repulse the furry filled protesters, and also to reinstate traffic flow which had been disrupted for several hours.
The touts and operators have, however, vowed to continue staging the demos daily until the construction of the road is fast-tracked.
“This construction project is now overdue and has since stalled. The contractor should come out clear and explain on whether he is unable to complete the construction, Our vehicles are always getting spoilt along this impassable stretch,” stated Henry Ouma, one of the matatu touts.
More showdown therefore still looms in Mamboleo today (Tuesday) morning as the matatu and boda-boda operators come back on the road to demonstrate.
They have also threatened to keep the fares at an all-time high especially during the rainy evening until their plight is communicated.
One of the tactics they have also employed is causing an artificial shortage of matatus as a way of sending their communication to the authorities involved in constructing the road.