Matatu operators and drivers in Kajiado hit the streets to protest the increased road accidents which they claim have resulted from recklessness and laxity by the traffic offences law enforcers.
The operators and drivers blamed the law enforcement officers for what they claim as a failure to prosecutive reckless drivers.
The transport stakeholders said that the reckless driving has claimed the lives of many along Nairobi-Namanga Road which is their area of operation.
Police compromised
Among the complaints that the matatu operators raised was that 'traffic officers are usually compromised and fail to arrest and release traffic offence suspects.
The reckless drivers have now gained the confidence to continue with the behaviour, which the matatu operators claim has resulted in increased road carnage along that route.
According to the operators, the behaviour they boldly went to protest against, has claimed the lives of over 20 drivers in the last two years.
The operators also revealed that most accidents are caused by lorries coming from Tanzania.
"Kutoka 2021 mpaka saa hii, ni lorry za Tanzania ndio zinasababisha hizi ajali.
"Na hakuna ile imewahi fuatiliwa. Ikifuatiliwa inapotea. Wengine was pikipiki wanagongwa, lorry inapotea, hatujui inaenda wapi an dereva anapotea hatumuoni mpaka leo hii tukaamua kutafuta haki yetu," one of the protestors, Isaac Partoti lamented.
Loosely translated: "The drivers hit people including motorbike riders and they escape, so today we have decided to protest to protect our rights."
Justice denied
In deep agony, the drivers told the media that the courts have also failed them and contributed to the road carnage menace.
They insist that 'when they take cases to court, the suspects are released and some commit the offences and take off to hiding across the Kenyan border to Tanzania.
Seemingly disappointed by the courts, one of the operators said that 'the court should clearly tell them if they don't have a right to present their cases there.
He added that the court has also been adamant to listen to the leaders they have appointed to represent them, especially in such matters.
"When we go to present our case in court or to sue a lorry that has run over and killed one of us, the government treats it as a matter of less importance or as a norm.
"We have gone to the courts, we have sent our representatives but the court does not listen to them and sometimes they are not even given a chance to talk.
"The court should now tell us if we have no right to go to that court to seek justice whenever we have issues.
"This lorry killed a person and it didn't stop. We would not have found it except for the assistance of the traffic officers who identified it before it crossed the Tanzanian border," John Peter, a matatu driver narrated.
Protestors plea
The matatu operators demanded that the police begin to take action against those breaking traffic offences, to prevent the loss of lives.
The protestors now want the government to act accordingly to ensure the suspects are prosecuted.
Further, they want the courts to also consider their welfare and not release suspects 'when clear evidence has been presented.
The area traffic police commander and other relevant authorities have not come out to defend or address the claims raised by the matatu operators.
