Bus drivers call for tightened road security in northwest Kenya

Kenya's commuter bus operators and business lobby group on Tuesday called on the government to introduce police officers along the northwestern region's Kitale-Lodwar road to protect passengers from bandit attacks.

The operators and chamber officials protested over insecurity along the highway and urged the government to provide officers to escort passenger vehicles.

Trans-Nzoia Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Martin Waliaula argued that bandit attack along the road is a serious threat to business and economy of regional counties.

Last weekend, armed bandits attacked a passenger bus plying Kitale-Lodwar, killing one passenger and injured several others.

The bandits also stopped another bus at gunpoint and robbed passengers.

Insecurity has denied the region's income from tourism, said Waliaula, adding that economic potentials in Turkana and West Pokot counties have not been exploited.

West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo said idle youth had taken advantage of the insecurity along the road to rob passengers. He called on the government to beef up security and bring down the bandit menace.

Statistics show that over 40 commuter bus operators have pulled out of the business from the road due to insecurity along the road. Endi