As the public transport operators’ strike enters the second day, its effects are evident in various sectors of the economy.
A spot check by KNA around Nyahururu town and its outskirts indicated limited economic activities due to the strike.
At Nyahururu market, only a few traders dared to open their businesses many fearing vandalism and looting of their hard-sourced stock by criminals taking advantage of the protest.
Miriam Wambui, a cereal seller at Nyahururu market, said she had been adversely affected by the ongoing strike.
She pointed out she opened her business as usual but as the protest continued and turned violent she closed and went home, having sold very little.
Wambui noted that they are taking advantage of morning hours to sell when the situation is calm and they close at the earliest sign of protest turning violent.
She noted if the strike prolongs, she will have nothing to support her family as well as meet other family financial obligations.
Wambui was concerned about her colleagues who sell perishables such as fruits and vegetables, noting that strike disruption might lead to loss of their stock as the flow of customers is much limited.
She called upon the government to move with speed and listen to the plight of ordinary Kenyans.
On the outskirts of Nyahururu town is where garages are located and unusually, the usually busy and noisy place was not as busy as usual, where few mechanics were working on few trucks while some matatus had found a parking lot.
John Njoroge, a mechanic, lamented that the only source of his daily income has been affected by the strike; however, he observed that they better endure the suffering for a while but in the long run have a lasting solution to their plight of high cost of living.
Most fuel stations in Nyahururu have been turned into Nissan Matatu and truck parking bays and only a few boda boda operators are streaming in for fuelling.
Similarly, the Nyahururu law court was affected, where some cases were postponed and allocated later dates after some witnesses and litigants failed to show up for lack of means of transport.
Nyahururu Referral hospital has not been spared, as the spot check showed very few patients are streaming in and out of the hospital, a sign that travel of many from various places it serves outside Nyahururu and Laikipia County has been affected by the strike.
The morning spot check showed the situation is still volatile for businesses, as many business premises in the Nyahururu Central Business District remained closed while staff stood in groups next to their source of income in hesitation to open for fear of vandalism and looting.
Meanwhile KNA found Chieni Supermarket was on Monday pelted with stones, evidenced by broken window panes, as protestors attempted to break in; however, tight police security had aborted their attempt.
The protestors were also erecting barricades and lighting bonfires as they warmed up for second day protest
This spot check indicates that the strike by public transport operators against recent fuel hikes has affected all sectors of our economy.
By Kimani Tirus
