More than two hundred drivers and vehicle operators plying the Kapenguria–Kacheliba road held a protest in Makutano town, demonstrating against the Kapenguria Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Mr Luke Odiwuor over allegations of corruption and harassment.
The drivers suspended transport activities and marched to the County commissioner’s office in Kapenguria to present their grievances and demand for justice.
They accused the OCS of nabbing vehicles operating along the road, mistreating innocent drivers and misconduct.
They called on the government to intervene in the matter and investigate the conduct of the OCS.
The demonstrators who carried placards and twigs accused the OCS of taking bribes from owners of vehicles from Uganda.
They blocked the road for one hour to express their anger calling for the interdiction of the officer for acting unprofessionally.
Led by the chairman of the drivers Mr Rajab Lodomo, the demonstrators said that the OCS demands between Kshs 200,000 and 100,000 per vehicle.
“We don’t know where he takes the money. Many people have given him money, and for the last three months he has been harassing us for no apparent reason,” said Lodomo.
“People have lost the morale of doing businesses because of the OCS .Let him go to Baringo not here,” he said.
“We want to know if he gets a salary or not. Recently one lady was beaten by the OCS and no action was taken,” said Omari Jumbe, a driver in the town.
However, West Pokot County Police commander Mathew Kuto said that he got the information and investigation will be done to establish the truth.