Eric Juma @PeopleDailyKe
Public transport in Bondo town, Kisumu county was yesterday paralysed after drivers and touts restricted residents who did not have identity cards from boarding vehicles.
The move saw hundreds of people return home to collect the vital document or seek other means of transport. A spot check by the People Daily established that the residents, mostly parents taking their children to secondary schools were left stranded while others were forced to hire taxis, boda boda or walk.
Peter Omolo, who was taking her daughter to Rera Girls in Kisumu had no option but to hire a taxi. “I forgot my identity card at home. I pleaded with the touts to let me board the vehicles but they refused. I had no option but to hire a taxi although it has affected budget,” said Omolo.
Oloo Teddy, a tout in Bondo, said they took the action to sensitise residents on the importance of identity cards. “Politicians have been pleading with the public to acquire the documents but they hardly do that. The move here in Bondo has seen touts and boda boda operators go out and get the document,” he said.
We know this is not good for business but it is a win for Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) leader Raila Odinga who is going to make a fourth stab at the presidency next year,” he said.
Bondo Deputy County commissioner Samson Akach said though the move is illegal, it will make people acquire the document or pick hundreds of identity cards at registration bureaus and Huduma centres.
“We condemn the touts for introducing such conditions but its not in order for the public who have attained age of 18 to forget their identity cards at home or fail to have the document completely,” he said.
Meanwhile, East Gem MCA Booker Otieno has asked Gem CDF Committee to provide bursary to students whose parents have identity cards The CDF funds are distributed as per the population of an area and that can be determined through the ID cards that’s why the CDF must deny pupils or students whose parents lack ID,” said Otieno.
The MCA who spoke on Monday at Gem CDF office, said they will use every means to have the public register for Id’s. “We have also talked with church leaders in Gem to deny those who lack the ID cards the holy communion,” he said. ENDS….
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