Nairobi — Matatu crews on Sunday camped at a police station to demand protection from extortionist gangs.
The operators of the Kayole 19-60 route claimed that the gangs had raised the daily fee from Sh200 to Sh500. Speaking to the Nation on condition of anonymity, some of the drivers and conductors said their colleagues had been beaten for failing to co-operate with the extortionists.
One conductor showed a broken tooth, which he suffered after a brawl with the gang members. The group vowed to also start protecting themselves if the police fail to do so. “We may be forced to arm ourselves and deal with the gangs,” one told the Nation.
However, Kayole deputy OCPD Eliud Okello accused the matatu operators of failing to cooperate with the police. “We have always asked them to lodge official complaints, but they refuse,” he said. Mr Okello said it is difficult to investigate such a matter if victims fail to collaborate.
The crews parked more than 100 matatus outside the police station as their leaders went into a meeting with the police. An inside source told the Nation that there are two extortionist gangs operating in the populous estate. “The two groups are demanding money from the operators,” said the source.
An owner said every evening he is shown an extra expense of Sh500. “I cannot afford to pay people who sit around doing nothing more than Sh15,000 monthly,” he said, adding that he is ready for anything. “They can even burn down my matatu if the want,” he dared.
-The Daily Nation
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