Nyahururu: As the public transport operators’ strike enters the second day, its effects are evident in various sectors of the economy.
According to Kenya News Agency, a spot check 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, 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 close at the earliest sign of the protest turning violent. She noted if the strike prolongs, she will have nothing to support her family and meet other financial obligations. Wambui was concerned about her colleagues who sell perishables such as fruits and vegetables, noting that strike disruption might lead to the 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, where garages are located, the usually busy and noisy place was not as busy as usual. Few mechanics were working on trucks while some matatus had found parking. 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, with only a few boda boda operators 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 transport means.
Nyahururu Referral Hospital has not been spared, as the spot check showed very few patients streaming in and out of the hospital. This indicates that travel for 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, hesitant to open for fear of vandalism and looting.
Meanwhile, Kenya News Agency found Chieni Supermarket was pelted with stones on Monday, 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 the second day of protest. This spot check indicates that the strike by public transport operators against recent fuel hikes has affected all sectors of the economy.
