
Tuk-tuk operators in Mombasa, under the Boda Boda and Tuk Tuk Transport Cooperative Union of Kenya BOTUK, have issued a seven-day strike notice to the county government. They demand the immediate suspension of the National Transport and Safety Authority's NTSA Instant Fines Management System and new registration requirements, which they claim are crippling their businesses. The Instant Fines Management System imposes a KSh 5,000 penalty for each traffic violation, which BOTUK Secretary Morara Omanga states becomes overwhelming for owners with multiple vehicles. Operators also cite concerns over widespread speed camera use and a KSh 5,000 parking fee per vehicle, adding to financial pressure. They accuse the county government of introducing policies without consultation and continuing to demand payments despite a court order suspending the disputed fines. The union warns that high registration costs could lead to job losses for young people and an increase in crime. This strike notice comes ahead of planned Saba Saba protests, with Nairobi Police Commander Issa Mohamud stating that no formal notification for demonstrations has been received, and any gatherings would be considered unlawful.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
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A High Court in Nairobi has awarded a former Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology JKUAT student KSh 8 million in compensation for unlawful assault, arrest, and detention by police officers during student protests in November 2019. Justice Patricia Nyaundi ruled that the student's constitutional rights, including human dignity, freedom from cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, and security of the person, were violated. The court directed the Inspector General of the National Police Service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions ODPP to jointly pay the compensation. The student was allegedly confronted, assaulted, and arrested by police without justification, beaten, kicked, and denied medical treatment while detained in poor conditions. He was later released without being formally charged. Video footage confirmed the assault, and although the ODPP found sufficient evidence to prosecute the officers, the matter was referred to a diversion program that was not implemented. The court found this failure denied the student access to justice. Medical and psychological assessments indicated the student suffered physical injuries and trauma, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. This judgment comes amid ongoing public debate and scrutiny over police conduct during demonstrations.