Garissa PSVs halt services leaving residents stranded

Public transport services in Garissa to other parts of the country were on Wednesday halted leaving hundreds of travellers stranded.

Some of the matatu owners cited increased fuel prices while others were afraid that the vehicles would be destroyed, during the Azimio protests.

A spot check in most of the booking offices indicated that buses were parked in their respective areas.

The matatu owners also further protested the guidelines issued by the National Transport and Safety Authority, requiring retesting of PSV drivers during the renewal of their driving licenses.

Although the implementation of the guidelines was suspended on Tuesday, the matatus owners in Garissa still feel that their issues may not be looked into.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen suspended the implementation awaiting the report by a multi-agency committee tasked to look into the issues.

Planet Coach manager Salah Abdikadir said that most of their drivers have over 20 years of experience and that they do not need to be rested for them to renew their licenses.

"Imagine someone who has been driving these buses for 20 years being told to go back to class for retesting so that he can renew his license," he said.

"This will be a major problem and we are calling on the government to bring up alternative ways of solving the accidents problem.” 

Abdikadir said the high fuel prices are making it difficult for business.

"We have decided that today we down our tools and join other Kenyans in solidarity so that the government can find a way to stabilize the fuel prices,” he said.

Nicholas Mutua, a driver, said they are afraid of being caught up in the demonstrations which may endanger their lives and that the vehicles might be damaged causing losses for the repairs.

"As much as we support the demonstrations, we are afraid that goons take advantage of the situation to cause destruction of property. We don’t want to be caught in the ensuing melee," he said.

Resident Hassan Osman who was travelling to Nairobi for a medical check-up, urged the government to come to the negotiating table with the Opposition.

Osman said the demonstrations were affecting the economy and Kenyans.

"I was to be in Nairobi by 3 pm for an appointment with my doctor. But as you can see, there are no vehicles going to the city and even private vehicles don’t want to risk," he said.