Protest stalls trade, causes huge traffic jam in Luanda

Business in Luanda Town was disrupted for the better part of Monday when matatu crew blocked the busy Kisumu-Luanda-Busia highway to protest alleged harassment by Vihiga County enforcement officers.

This led to a huge traffic jam stretching from Luanda Town to Ebusakami, the junction that links Luanda to the busy Ebusakami-Chavakali-Kakamega road.

PROTEST

Monday is usually a market day in Luanda Town – Vihiga’s main market centre and major revenue earner.

Other road users were caught up in the traffic and business stalled in the town.

Private vehicle owners were forced to use alternative routes in the interior of Luanda Sub-County, and some got lost.

Along the highway, protesting matatu crew destroyed revenue collection stations and demanded to be addressed by Governor Wilber Ottichilo, who is said to be out of the county.

They said they would not resume paying taxes until their grievances were addressed.

Luanda traffic base commander Hannington Mwazonga and Luanda OCPD Benson Kilonzo unsuccessfully tried to calm the protesters and urge them to open the highway that links Kenya to Uganda.

PARKING ROW

Protesters complained that county enforcement officers made arrested them daily and charged them up to Sh3,000 for parking in some areas.

Luanda Town enforcement officer Simon Asubwa told the Nation that matatu crew often break laws.

He said the protests were aimed at pushing the county to allow them to continue parking in undesignated areas.

Police declined to comment on the matter, saying it falls under the county government’s mandate.