Boda-boda riders protest over Sh50 tax

Transport in Migori was paralyzed for two days as boda boda operators protested over alleged unfair taxation by Governor Ochilo Ayacko's administration after the devolved unit imposed a Sh50 daily tax on them.

The protesting riders blocked the crucial Migori-Rongo highway on Monday and Tuesday, bringing all activities to a standstill.

In their protests, the riders brought transportation activities to a standstill for several hours as they blocked the main highway.

Angry riders from Rongo, Uriri, Suna West and Suna East demanded that Governor Ayacko's administration prohibit revenue officers from imposing unfair taxation on them.

Titus Omondi, a rider in Migori town, said they earned little money but are still required to pay Sh50 as revenue. 

"We are already struggling to put food on the table. The bikes we ride don't belong to us," Omondi said.

The riders who lit bonfires along the highway also protested bad roads, saying that they use a lot of money to repair their motorcycles due to unmaintained roads in the county.

Previously, boda-boda riders from Uriri, Suna East and Suna West had been exempted from paying tax.

However, changes were made recently and riders from Suna West, Suna East and Uriri were again asked to pay taxes.

Efforts to get a response from the county government were futile.