More than 30 armed police officers have been deployed to provide security for matatu operators in Eldoret following protests over rising insecurity and frequent gang attacks at a major terminus in the city.
The operators—including owners, drivers, touts and Sacco officials—on Tuesday stormed the station demanding a meeting with senior police officers over the growing insecurity menace.
The protest was triggered by violent clashes between matatu crews and gangs operating around the Shakahola matatu stage near Sosiani River and adjacent to an area inhabited by street families.
Officials of the matatu Saccos and stage managers, led by Moses Kamau and David Kariuki, said several of their colleagues had been robbed and injured by criminal gangs. They also claimed a female passenger had been attacked and raped by members of the gang operating along the river.
More than 300 matatus operate from the affected terminus.
“We are tired of the insecurity at Shakahola stage and that is why we have decided to protest so that our cry is heard,” Kamau said.
He said it had become
impossible to operate from the stage, which was created two years ago to
decongest the city during the Devolution Conference in Eldoret.
Kamau said many drivers and touts had lost their daily earnings to the gangs, forcing them to incur heavy financial losses.
The protesters were later addressed by Turbo OCPD Patrick Wekesa, who assured them police would take immediate action to restore order.
“Since you have brought the complaint, we will take action immediately and ensure we resolve the issue,” he said.
Wekesa said police would hold a joint meeting with matatu operators and Uasin Gishu county officials to discuss long-term solutions to the insecurity challenge.
Uasin Gishu police commander Benjamin Mwanthi said he had directed the deployment of 30 armed officers to the terminus to enhance security.
“The security teams will remain at the terminus until they restore safety by dealing with the gangs in the area,” he said.
After leaving the police station, the matatu operators marched to the Uasin Gishu county headquarters to seek an audience with Governor Jonathan Bii over the insecurity affecting their work.
They were, however, denied entry into the county offices.
Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea, upon being informed of the protest, directed county security teams to work closely with police to address the gang menace at the affected stage.
“We will collaborate with the police to ensure the gangs are eliminated and matatu operators can work safely,” he said.
