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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Kenyans stranded as buses strike | Kenyans stranded as buses strike |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| Tens of thousands of Kenyan commuters have been left stranded or forced to walk long distances because of a strike by minibus-taxis known as matatus. | Tens of thousands of Kenyan commuters have been left stranded or forced to walk long distances because of a strike by minibus-taxis known as matatus. |
| The matatu operators say they are protesting against harassment and extortion by police. | The matatu operators say they are protesting against harassment and extortion by police. |
| But the police have accused the operators of refusing to comply with traffic laws. | But the police have accused the operators of refusing to comply with traffic laws. |
| Matatus are the main mode of transport in towns across the country. The strike is planned to last until Wednesday. | Matatus are the main mode of transport in towns across the country. The strike is planned to last until Wednesday. |
| The matatus last went on strike in 2003 over new safety rules, but their protest fizzled out as the measures had strong public backing. | |
| The BBC's Josphat Makori in Nairobi says implementation of the measures lapsed until a new police boss took over, sparking the latest protest. | |
| Strikers 'are blackmailers' | |
| Dickson Mbugua, spokesman for the matatu workers, said they would move to "option B" if nothing was done by Wednesday - though he refused to say what that would be. | |
| The people calling for a strike aren't interested in the welfare of the people Eric Kiraithe Police chief | |
| He told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme the police board the minibuses and demand bribes from the drivers. | |
| "They don't tell the driver why they want to impound it," he said. | |
| "They just say: 'This vehicle is unroadworthy, either it goes for inspection or you give me 2,000 or 3,000 (shillings)." | |
| But Nairobi police chief Eric Kiraithe dismissed the allegations as untrue and claimed the police had acted to combat corruption. | |
| "Last year alone 26 police officers were prosecuted for various offences related to traffic - bribery and all that," he said. | |
| He accused the strikers of "blackmail", adding: "The people calling for a strike aren't interested in the welfare of the people." | |
| Several commuters making their way through the Nairobi rain told the BBC they were angry over the strike and would not be supporting the matatu workers. | |
| Are you in Kenya? Have you been affected by the strike? | Are you in Kenya? Have you been affected by the strike? |
| Send your comments using the post form below. | Send your comments using the post form below. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |