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Kasarani commuters stranded as matatu crews go on strike


Morning commuters in Kasarani woke up to a rude shock on Monday after matatu operators in the area staged a crippling strike.

The matatu operators are protesting at the poor state of the Mwiki – Kasarani road.

The strike reportedly started at 4 am, with the operators lighting bonfires and blocking all vehicles from using the road.

mwiki

“Today from four o clock Kasarani – Mwiki will have the biggest matatu strikes ever witnessed in the area. ALL motorists starting from 4 am have blocked the road and nothing is moving including  bodaboda. This is to pressurize the county and national govt to repair this road that have (sic) been in pathetic condition,” a message from Kasarani MP John Chege to the media said.

Commuters had to walk from Mwiki to the Roysambu roundabout, while motorists in Kasarani sought alternative routes to access the main road.

Matatu operators from other routes along Thika Road seized the opportunity to hike fares from Sh50 to Sh100.

Police from Kasarani division arrived at the scene hours later and unblocked the road by moving burnt tires and towing away matatus that had been used to block it.

The striking matatu operators at some point pelted the police with stones but were dispersed.

Governor Evans Kidero is expected to visit the area to address residents on when the construction of the road will start.