This archive report was first published on 21 October 2019.
Residents of Kambi area in Kigumo Sub-county, Murang'a, have been protesting against an extortion gang that has taken control of Kaharate-Kangare road. The gang has set up multiple toll stations along the 41-kilometre route, where each of the estimated 170 matatus is required to pay Sh200 to use the road.
According to the Kigumo Touts Welfare Group, the gang also charges a Sh175,000 'registration fee' for all new matatus plying the route. Newly recruited drivers must part with Sh5,000 to be allowed to operate on the route while touts pay Sh2,500.
Those who do not pay up are assaulted by the gang. The gang operates with such brazen impunity that not even the threat of a government crackdown will deter it from extorting matatus.
"We only take orders from those who have surrendered their matatus to us for management," retorted one member of the gang at Kaharate Trading Centre.
The gang's activities have hit property markets on the route as potential investors shun the area citing insecurity. "No investor is willing to risk their capital along this route. Our shopping centres cannot attract investments since this gang also executes robberies," said Elias Mwangi, Secretary of the Kigumo Commuters Association.
Recently, a number of road users, matatu touts and drivers who have been locked out of the route by the gang staged a protest. "We are tired of this gang's influence. Anyone who refuses to part with the protection fee ends up being waylaid and assaulted," said Steve Irungu, who heads the Kigumo Touts Welfare Group.
Murang'a County Commissioner Mohammed Barre has conceded that there has been a public outcry against the gang and that a team has been assembled to address the issue.
