Keroka Boda Boda riders protest over tax chaos.

Tensions boiled in Keroka yesterday as scores of boda boda riders staged a protest, decrying what they termed as systemic mismanagement of their sector by local authorities. 

Their grievances primarily revolved around the unfulfilled promise of official certificates for their stages and a chaotic, unregulated tax collection system, with fingers pointed directly at a municipal board member for alleged poor representation at the county level.

The protest brought parts of Keroka to a standstill as riders vocalized their frustrations. Many of the operators stated they had duly applied for and expected to receive official certificates for their designated boda boda stages, a move intended to formalize their operations and provide a measure of security and legitimacy. However, despite their applications, these crucial documents remain unissued, leaving the riders in a vulnerable situation.

"We applied for these certificates months ago, we were told this would bring order and recognition to our work. But we have seen nothing. It's like we are operating in a vacuum." lamented one rider.

Adding to their woes is the issue of taxation. The riders complained bitterly about a lack of clear procedures and approaches to collecting taxes. Many feel they are being unfairly targeted and that the process lacks transparency, leading to confusion and resentment.

The collective anger of the riders was significantly directed towards Dominic Babu, a board member of the municipality, whom they accuse of failing to represent their interests adequately within the county government.

 "Dominic Babu is supposed to be our voice, but he has let us down," another demonstrator asserted.

 "Our issues are not being heard at the county level, and we are suffering the consequences.

The riders are now demanding immediate action from the county government to address their concerns regarding the delayed certificates and to establish a transparent, orderly system for tax collection. 

They also called for a review of representation within the municipal board, emphasizing the need for leaders who genuinely advocate for their welfare. Failure to address these grievances, they warned, could lead to further industrial action and continued disruption in the vital transport sector.