Transportation in Machakos town was paralyzed in the better part of Monday morning following a demonstration by tuk tuk and taxi vehicles drivers following alleged harassment by County Council officers.
The motorists who provide transport around town and to several areas near Machakos town lead by their chairman Joseph Mutisya blocked the road from Corporative bank branch to the Machakos police station demanding fair treatment.
Speaking during the demonstration, Mutisya condemned the motorist’s mistreatment listing the escalating complaints from the motorists.
“I have been receiving complaints from the tuk tuk operators and some taxi drivers that the County Council officers are harassing them asking for more money while we pay tax just like all other business people,” said Mtisya.
Mutisya further stated that they had written a letter to the OCPD and would seek help from the County administrator for their problems to be solved.
However the police officers were forced to use tear gas to disperse the crowd of operators who had completely disabled transport in and out of Machakos town.
Speaking to one of the residents of Machakos town, Henry Mulei stated that the tuk tuk operators play a critical role in transport in and around the town and their welfare should be taken care of.
“ the tuk tuk operators are our only way of transport in town and even to some of the places near like Katoloni to town and back. Therefore they should not be harassed by the county officers if they have paid the tax,” said Mulei.
By Monday mid-day transportation had started going back to normal following police intervention.