The crackdown by Tharaka Nithi County Officials against cess defaulters has today rubbed miraa traders the wrong way.
For more than a week now, cess collection officers have been working for several hours running till late at night, in efforts to nab all defaulters.
Tharaka Nithi County has two major cess collection points along the Meru-Nairobi Highway, one at Keeria and another point in Chuka town.
Matatu drivers plying the Meru-Chuka and Meru-Nairobi route have turned to endless cat and mouse games in efforts to avoid the Keeria roadblock.
Many of them are seen re-routing to rough roads in an effort to avoid paying the monthly fee.
In addition to the regular Ksh. 1800 monthly cess, commercial vehicles that default in payment are expected to pay an additional Ksh. 450 fine.
Speaking to Meru Daily, Mr. Mwenda, a Meru-Nairobi Nissan driver says he was yesterday forced to pay Ksh. 2,250 on his way from Nairobi.
“I don’t blame them. They are doing their job. I paid because I cannot keep using long, rough routes forever,” Mwenda says.
The move has however irked several miraa traders, with a section blaming Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi for the mess.
The vehicles were however allowed to proceed with the journey after successful negotiations with the Tharaka Nithi county officials stationed at the roadblock.
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