Truck drivers on Monday paralysed operations along the busy Eldoret-Malaba highway to protest county charges for road users, which they term as unrealistic and against the East African Community trade laws.
Drivers led by Sudi Mwatela vowed to stay put until and unless the Transport CS Davies Chirchir visits Malaba and addresses the offending road levy by county government of Busia.
The drivers were speaking at Amagoro, where they parked their trucks on the road to express their dissatisfaction with the county.
“This is the third time the county government of Busia is trying to charge truck drivers for passing through the county. This is an impunity and unrealistic act that can’t be condoned by any driver in the world,” Mwatela said.
According to Mwatela, they woke up to a new directive from Malaba municipal management demanding they pay Sh400 for passing through Malaba and an additional Sh400 while coming back with empty trucks.
“The county government of Busia is demanding we pay a total of Sh800 yet they have failed to offer any single service to the drivers and road users at large,” he said.
“We can't pay for the road yet even a single public toilet or trailer park is not in place. Which services are we paying for?” Sudi asked.
The sentiments, which were echoed by John Kimani and Salim Bahaba (truck drivers) said the county has failed to live up to the standards by not constructing either toilets or parking area to enable them collect the intended taxes.
“From Mombasa to Malaba, we pass through 13 counties, yet it's only Busia that wants us to pay for passing through it. This highway is along the Great Northern Corridor and we are only expected to pay taxes to the national government through KRA,” Kimani said.
“Today Busia county has cost the country millions which is payable in form of taxes at the Malaba customs. We are ready to park these trucks until we get a directive from the CS for Transport or the President himself,” Bahaba said.
Clearing agency leadership in Malaba have slammed the county government of Busia for enacting rules without adequate public participation with key stakeholders.
The agent said the move was ill-advised and needed consultation with various stakeholders for it to be effective.
“Today we have rendered no services yet some of these trucks carry perishable goods. Who will bear the cost,” Ouma, a clearing agent at Malaba OSBP said.
A spot check at the Malaba Customs Office by KNA, the usually busy entry bay remained underutilised with KRA and URA officials trying to intervene in the move which was opposed by the county government insisting on all vehicles entering Malaba.
Efforts to reach out to the municipal manager were futile as he declined to speak to the press.