Economy

Lobby wants Joho ban on registration of tuk tuks lifted

tuk

Mombasa tuktuk operators during a demo in 2013 to demand access to the central business district. file photo | nmg

A human rights group has gone to court seeking to overturn Mombasa governor Hassan Joho’s order suspending registration of new tuk tuks in the county.

Commission For Human Rights and Justice (CFHRJ), under a certificate of urgency, wants orders to suspend the directive, arguing that it has adversely affected commuters and tuk tuk  operators in the county.

In a sworn affidavit, CFHRJ executive director Julius Ogogoh said the notice was ill advised and wrong as it does not fall within the law and that tuk tuk operators were not consulted.

“The said notice, if left unchallenged, would affect all commuters and owners of the three wheelers and the operation of the business since they entirely rely on the same for their daily income,” Mr Ogogoh said in court papers.

READ: Joho: No new tuk tuks will be registered in Mombasa

The applicant said county officials had failed to provide reasons for the decision to suspend registration of tuk tuks as required by the law.

He said the notice was discriminatory, adding that it will render the youth who operate tuk tuks jobless.

“The action by the administration is a clear breach of the principle of natural justice, it is unprocedural and amounts to abuse of the legal process... it amounts to victimisation against owners and operators of the three wheelers,” Mr Ogogoh said.

The county government suspended the registration of tuk tuks from January 8, through a letter written by Mr Joho to the county executive in charge of transport and infrastructure.