Mungiki sect members yesterday took over yet another city matatu route.
During a meeting with Murang'a, Thika, Nairobi (MTN) Sacco officials, the sect National Co-ordinator, Mr Ibrahim Ndura Waruinge, said they had officially taken control of matatus plying from the city through Thika to Murang'a.
MTN officials led by chairman, Mr Stephen Njogu Kang'ethe, said they had allowed the sect to control the termini because of harassment meted on them by touts. The two parties were speaking during a meeting at a city hotel .
They agreed that Mungiki will be paid Sh500 per matatu per day from the 200 vehicles plying the Murang'a, Thika and Nairobi route.
Kang'ethe said in the past they had asked police to protect their business without success. They had faith in the sect members to ensure the smooth running of the routes and subsequently announced they had dissolved the MTN office.
Over 50 matatu owners from Murang'a further accused security personnel in the area of failing to protect their business and instead colluding with touts to harass them.
Kang'ethe said the touts demand Sh200 per vehicle per trip. If they can't pay, they are beaten up.
Waruinge said he will deploy Mungiki youths to man the route from Nairobi to Murang'a to ensure there was enough security.
He accused Matatu Welfare Association Chairman, Mr Dickson Mbugua, of neglecting matatu owners.
The sect seems to be slowly but decisively taking over the management of the matatu industry for routes serving the city.
Over a week ago, Kasarani MP, Mr Adolf Muchiri, demanded a Government, statement over harassment of commuters by sect members.
On October 31, the sect announced the take-over of matatu route 25 that serves Baba Dogo area and 200 sect members reportedly deployed along the route.
On November 2, the group said its members had taken control of Kayole route amidst promises by Mbugua that the move will be resisted.
Mungiki militants a few weeks ago engaged Dandora Kamjesh group in bloody battles over the route control. Nairobi police chief, Mr Geoffrey Muathe,then said he was aware of plans by the sect to take control of the Nairobi Railway station matatu terminus saying police will deal with the sect members decisively.