Machakos traders protest high levies

Machakos traders protest high levies

Transport was on Monday paralysed along the Kangundo- Nairobi highway by sand transporters who were protesting increased levies by the Machakos County Government.

The sand transporters reportedly blocked the highway using their lorries leading to a traffic snarl-up along the Kangundo- Nairobi highway over an increase of levies from Sh21,000 to Sh70,000.

Machakos County sand transporters Chair Johnstone Kavila said the strike is on across the county.

This comes barely a week after over 100 sand harvesters barricaded the Thika- Garissa highway for hours protesting high levies charged on their vehicles.

According to the Thika Lorry Owners Association Chairman Muritu Gatheca, the harvesters were accusing the Machakos County Government of passing legislation without involving all stakeholders.

Yatta Sub-County administrator Patrick Manthi however defended the county government saying the lorries were paying too little while they destroyed access roads.

Manthi also noted that instead of blocking the road that resulted in hours-long delays for Garissa-bound travellers, the aggrieved lorry owners should have sought audience with Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.

In a related incident three months ago, youths who claimed to have been hired by sand harvesters attacked Kathangathi Village in Makueni and torched several houses.

Residents in areas where sand is harvested have been involved in frequent conflicts with sand harvesters as they do not want the activity in their areas.

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protest transport Traders machakos paralysed sand high levies transporters

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