Police from Athi River was engaged in running battles with truck drivers who operate within Machakos County as they were staging protests over increased cess which they say is unmanageable. The county government announced increasing cess last week paid by the trucks ferrying sand from sh 520 to 1500per for a 6tonne lorry per trip to take effect from Monday night.
The drivers parked their trucks across the road, making it difficult for other motorists to use the highway. They were joined by quarry workers from Katani, the main source of ballast in the region. Many passengers had to walk to their destinations.
The protesters barricaded the busy Nairobi Mombasa road for hours causing a snarl up that lasted for three hours prompting police to fire tear gas to disperse them. Carrying placards, the protesters accused county of hiking the levies without carrying due diligence saying it will kick them out of business.
Truck Ventures Group Secretary Godfrey Mutua said that Governor Mutua had fixed the new rates without consulting them.