Business activities came to a standstill for the better part of Friday morning in Uriri market, Migori County after a standoff between bodaboda riders and tax collectors from the Migori County revenue department.
This is after the riders’ alleged harassment from the tax collectors who had just resumed duties in the market.
Led by their Chairman, James Kamala, they claimed that the county revenue officers have been assaulting their members and confiscating motorbikes without proper explanations.
The riders accused the Migori county government of planting goons at various tax collection points who were harassing and assaulting bodaboda riders.
Kamala urged the county management to put a stop to the tax collection, saying it was against a memorandum of understanding they entered with the governor in the run-up to the 2022 general election.
According to the official, the memorandum of understanding included employment of their members to man collection points as well as delivery of services such as maintenance of roads across the county.
The riders sought an audience with the Uriri Sub County police commander, Bashir Ali who advised them to seek peaceful avenues to resolve the impasse.
By Awuor Andy and Makokha Khaoya
