Public transport stakeholders and business people in West Pokot County have protested the crackdown on PSV operators after businesses were affected in the region. The traffic crackdown officially started on Monday and Interior CS Fred Matiang’i said the government will not relent.
Speaking to the press in his office in Kapenguria, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce Chairperson in the County Rev. Mark Lotee said that business people in the area are counting huge losses following the crackdown.
The Chairman faulted the government for not consulting with all stakeholders before starting to implement the traffic laws and the policies. “They are reactionary and not proactive over the policy. Kenyans are suffering because fares have been hiked,” he said.
He said the move could lead to insecurity incidents and destabilize peace in the region. “This is opening ways for evil vices because of idleness and can lead to increased theft and insecurity in the area,” he said. He reiterated that Kenyans needed civic education before implementing the traffic rules, saying the implementation was abrupt. Some PSV operators called on the government to extend the period for implementation of the Traffic rule.
Mr. Shaban Omari, the secretary of the Kapenguria PSV Sacco said that only two vehicles among more than 200 vehicles that operate along the Kapenguria-Kitale Highway are operating. He said the government should give the operators more time.
Mr. Charles Atina, a resident who was stranded at Makutano Stage while waiting for a matatu to Kitale to get medicine for a sick person, said he missed the drugs.
Atina blamed public transport vehicle operators for not complying with the traffic rules making innocent Kenyans suffer. “They were given enough time and should comply with the laws,” he said.
Another resident, Mrs Lucy Lotee, who owns a vehicle, said she doesn’t have the money to repair and install of the required parts on her vehicle. She said the crackdown may lead to loss of jobs and increased crime and asked for more time, “We need two more months,” she said.