The SGR terminal in Mombasa. [Photo/ capitalfm.co.ke]
Online taxi-hailing firm’s drivers on Monday paralysed transport services at the Miritini Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminal as they protested over alleged harassment by authorities manning the station.About 200 drivers, led by Coast Digital Association chairman of e-hailing taxis services Martin Wainaina, complained that they had been denied access to the passenger picking point.The drivers, who include those from Uber, Taxify and Little Cab accused the police and the Kenya Railways Corporation management of colluding with cartels to kick them out of the station where five picking slots have been allocated for them. “Our customers have severally been removed from our cars by police,” said Wainaina.“They claim we should not pick passengers from inside the parking lot yet we have five parking lots that have been set aside for us,” he added. Ben Otieno, a driver, said operating within the station has become unbearable due to constant harassment.He claimed that they are forced to park their vehicles almost one kilometer from the Madaraka Express dropping point.“Our clients who demand our services cannot manage to walk the distance. We suspect an inside cartel trying to control the taxi business for their benefit,” said Otieno.Kenya Railways Police Station OCPD Maselina Andaje has however denied the claims, saying no taxi drivers have been denied access to pick and drop passengers. Andanje said they were operating within guidelines issued by the railway management.Is there a newsworthy accident, incident or event happening in Mombasa County that you want Hivisasa to cover? Tell us what is happening by joining this group and have it published. http://bit.ly/2BipYa6