Matatu operators affiliated to Eemo Sacco in Ishiara Town, Mbeere North Constituency, Embu County, have staged protests over the alleged forceful takeover of their picking and dropping bay by rival Kemo Sacco.
The move has created animosity between the two operators, who clashed last week as Eemo operators resisted the takeover, leaving one person injured.
Operations at the Ishiara Matatu terminus were briefly interrupted as irate Eemo operators lit tires, protesting unfair treatment by the County Government that is alleged to have allocated the rival Sacco their bay.
Led by their Chairman Nefat Njiru, the operators wondered why the new entrants were allocated their space yet there were other empty spaces they could have occupied.
Njiru challenged the County Government to come clean over its alleged role in the takeover, saying they have no problem with having more players set base in the terminus.
“What we are opposed to is the forceful takeover of our bay,” said Njiru, while pointing an accusing finger at area County Ward Administrator for orchestrating the move.
The operators demanded for the removal of the Ward Administrator, whom they accused of engaging in unfair business practices that amounted to incitement to violence.
“If the impasse is not sorted out immediately, it could escalate into a conflict between groups that have coexisted for years,” he cautioned.
By Samuel Waititu
