Nation Team
6 September 2002
Four members of the banned Mungiki sect were yesterday arrested for barricading the Embu-Makutano road in Kirinyaga.
Several others escaped when police swooped on more than 60 Mungiki members who had taken control of the route at the Ngurumbani bus stage.
The group barricaded the road and blocked Neno Transporters vehicles from plying the route, but only allowed Kukena Transporters to operate.
Neno drivers resisted the onslaught and a scuffle ensued.
Traders in Ngurumbani town closed their businesses as the battle pitched. Police intervened to restore calm.
Local police boss Simiyu Wasike said those arrested would be released on police bond pending charges in court.
Meanwhile, a meeting between the Transport Licensing Board and Mombasa matatu (commuter taxi) operator's yesterday failed to agree on licensing procedures.
The transporters' spokesman, Mr Ali Bates, said the centralisation of offices for issuance of licences made the authorisation procedures cumbersome and most matatu owners opted to operate without papers.
Speaking at the Koblenz Hall in Mombasa, Mr Bates called for decentralisation of the services to relieve the transporters of the burden of queuing for many hours during the board's visits in various areas.
Application forms should be dispensed at Kenya Revenue Authority offices to make it easy for transporters to obtain them.
The board's acting chairman, Mr Hassan ole Kamwaro, urged the stakeholders to help solve the problems facing the transport industry.
Reports by George Munene and Jonathan Manyindo
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