Residents in Kitale town Trans Nzoia county forced to
walk to the central business district after the county government and the
county police commander Ayub Gitonga banned the bodaboda operators from
accessing town going around in the morning alerting the residents to use
bicycles or walk to the CBD and encouraging the operators to stay at home.
The
police have placed roadblocks at Central Primary School and Aturkana hotels
from those approaching the town from Machinjoni, Matisi, Bondeni and Kibomet
respectively.
The move hugely receiving the opposition from the
bodaboda operators who saying that they are fending for themselves and their
families and staying at home means sleeping on an empty stomach.
“We are not against the move to help the county in
fighting the virus but if they deny access to town and carrying at a cost of Ksh
30 how will be able to get basic needs to sustain our families and at the end
of the day take something to the boss? “said one of the bodaboda operators Machinjoni
stage.
Another bodaboda added that they should have been
given another measure rather than denying them full access to the CBD since it
is the mainly source of livelihood to many of them.
“They should have allowed access the CBD and allow us
to carry one passenger than completely denying us full access into town if
carrying two into will speed the process. This move is really heavy on us,” said another bodaboda operator.
The police officers have been placed at specific
joints to prevent the bodaboda operators to access town noting that some have
defied the order and still use other routes to access the town saying it is for
their own good and health to avoid them contract the deadly virus. With the
defiant bodaboda operators’ motorbikes.
“Everybody needs to be safe and for everyone’s good.
we are not doing this to intimidate anyone. We wish that our bodaboda operators
will cooperate with us,” said a police officer at Central Primary School.
Residents have had a mixed reaction on the move now
that they are forced to walk and others to resolving to use taxies and
bodaboda.
“I support the move because during rush hours the
bodaboda operators carry more than two people which is not only defying the
traffic rules but also risking their lives. This would have made the spread of
the virus faster.” Said Ben Wafula resident from Machinjoni.
“We getting let to work and jobs closed earlier due to
the ongoing dusk to dawn curfew they should just let this people work. Another
alternative should be sorted out. This is oppressing to the bodaboda
operators,” said another resident.
The town remains deserted as the police patrol in town
and many businesses remain closed and only bicycle bodaboda only allowed.
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