Matatu operators plying the Ongata Rongai route raised the alarm over a new wave of extortion on the rise targeting drivers and conductors.
The drivers lamented over extra levies imposed on them by the gangs that had strategically positioned themselves at various picking and dropping points within the city.
Explaining the insecurity influx in the matatu industry, one of the operators stated that the extortion wave gained prominence during the 2022 General Election. He added that they are now collecting levies at almost every stage within the city and in Rongai.
According to some of the drivers, they had been forced to surrender a huge part of their daily earnings to the gangs, failure to which, they were attacked and injured.
Gang members reportedly pose as conductors and stage attendants before demanding levies from each and every matatu dropping and picking passengers.
While appealing to the National Police Service (NPS) to intervene, the matatu operators raised concerns that the gang would start attacking passengers.
"They grabbed me, pushed me out of the car, and then started assaulting me. They were five, and were demanding money," one of the drivers stated.
The driver was rescued by area residents, who then rushed him to a nearby health facility. He then reported the incident at Ongata Rongai Police Station, Kajiado County.
Another driver sustained a broken nose and was forced to spend over Ksh100,000 for medical attention.
Joseph Wanjala, Chairman of Rongai Drivers and Conductors circus, called on Sacco management to collaborate with police to tame the new wave of extortion.
"Saccos should intervene because police alone cannot manage to wipe out the gangs. This is because when the police leave, the gangs go back to various bus stations," Wanjala explained.
The reports came just a day after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki indicated that he had reduced the crime rate in the city and its environs by a significant margin.
Kindiki vowed to scale up operations to eliminate the gangs from the city completely.
