This archive report was first published on 15 June 2020.
On Monday, June 15, 2020, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i found himself in the midst of a matatu operators' demonstration at Rironi on the busy Nairobi-Naivasha highway.
The operators, mainly from Limuru in Kiambu County, were protesting against the mounting of a roadblock at Rironi, which they claimed had interrupted their business.
Noticing a siren made by Dr. Matiang'i's chase car, the operators blocked the road, prompting the CS to alight and address them.
He told them to be patient and allow free flow of traffic as the government addresses the matter.
“We are aware that the roadblocks are negatively affecting the country's economy but we have to look into the matter diligently. The Inspector-General of Police and Kenya National Highway Authority officials are addressing the problem and you should expect changes by tomorrow,” CS Matiangí said before boarding his vehicle.
Earlier, more than 300 vehicles belonging to Likana and Lina Saccos had blocked the road for hours as their officials sought audience with Limuru Deputy County Commissioner Charles Mukele.
The incident caused a major traffic snarl-up that stretched for more than five kilometres.
Limuru MP Peter Mwathi termed the remounting of the Rironi roadblock as insensitive and a deliberate move to kill his constituency economically.
He said that the roadblocks should be mounted at the borders of the metropolitan area and not within it.
