Tuktuk operators protest over alleged harassment by Mungiki criminal gang

Thika, Wednesday, July 5, 2023

KNA by Muoki Charles

Thika Tuktuk operators yesterday took to the streets protesting over harassment by the outlawed Mungiki criminal gang, who they allege have been harassing and extorting money from them.

Led by their chairman Karanja Kimani, the operators said the gang demands Sh50 per trip, which they said was unaffordable due to the difficult operations environment.

They said attempts to report to authorities have hit the wall as no action has been taken against the group.

The over 100 operators said operations have been difficult and coupled with the increased prices of fuel; they were operating at a loss.

“If we pay Sh 50 per trip to be allowed to operate and you charge at Sh 70 for the trip, how will you survive with the increased fuel prices? The gang operates through threats and our effort to report the matter has fallen on deaf ears,” lamented Kimani.

The operators threatened to interrupt operations in the town until the gang was flushed out.

They called on the government to heighten their fight against the gang in all the stages in the town to enable motorists to get maximum returns from their operations.

The operators interrupted transport and business in the town for hours demanding action from relevant authorities in weeding out the criminal group from the town, causing traffic snarl-ups.

“The government has been at the forefront in fighting the gang. We ask that it extends the fight to bus stages in Thika town where we are forced to give out money. If not, we shall continue interrupting businesses until our demands are heard,” said Charles Kagunda, another operator.

The operators are also in a fight with the Hospital Ward MCA John Njiru for denying them access to a new parking stage at Moi market near the Thika Main prison.

They said the restrictions affected their operations despite them contributing more than Sh3.8million annually to the county government.

MCA Njiru said they would not allow tuktuks to operate near the hospital and prison due their noise interruption.

He said they were working closely with their leadership to look for an amicable solution to enable smooth operations in the town.

Courtesy ; K. N. A