Transport crisis hits Wajir town as fuel stations shut due to insecurity

The transport sector in Wajir County has been adversely affected after 17 fuel dealers in Wajir town shut their businesses due to insecurity.

The businesspeople expressed frustration over increased cases of armed criminals disguised in police uniform, who have been recently raiding petrol stations at night. Recently, one petrol station attendant was killed and another seriously injured by a gang that stole their night sales.

Hashim Salat, the manager of Jabtech petrol station, said they unanimously decided to shut down all filling stations until their safety is guaranteed.

"Within this year we have witnessed incidents where four petrol stations were raided by armed criminals. A pump attendant was killed and another seriously injured. We lost almost total of Sh2 million and several in the frequent night attacks targeting the petrol station," he said.

He said employees are now not willing to work at night, fearing the armed robbers.

Mohamed Ali, the owner of Shawwal petrol station, said he was a victim of the latest attack on March 18 when armed criminals in police uniform raided his business and forced a pump attendant and watchman to lie down at a gunpoint before stealing Sh30,000 from them.

"We were operating knowing that it was the month of Ramadan and majority of the people were awake in the town creating a slim chance for criminals to attack the petrol stations. Now that Ramadhan has ended, we cannot risk operating until a solution is found," he said.

Others who spoke on the issue expressed similar sentiments.

They said they have decided not to operate both during the day and at night to pressure both security officials and local leaders to ensure all involved in the criminal activities are apprehended.

Two weeks ago, the fuel station owners protested against the wave of insecurity targeting them.

Transport operators in the town who were affected by the closure protested against the move.

Ali Yussuf, a taxi driver, said the petrol station owners have taken the wrong approach to address the insecurity incidents.

"Already, two people were arrested after the last robbery incident at Shawwal petrol station, and investigations are going on to apprehend others involved. They could have rather shut down their business at night since there are no robberies reported during the day. The closure has now affected many who made their living from the transport sector," he lamented.

Abdifatah Omar, who drives a matatu that operates between Wajir and Bute in Wajir North Constituency, said the closures have left many passengers stranded in Wajir town.

"Operations of many vehicles that operate between Wajir town and other sub-counties have been halted by the abrupt closure of the petrol stations, leaving many passengers stranded," he said.

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He wants the petrol station owners to instead shut their businesses at night until a solution is found.

Fatuma Ahmed, who operates a hotel business in Wajir town, said the closure of petrol stations further crippled the county's already struggling economy, causing the boda boda riders, taxi drivers, long distance transporters, buses and matatus to halt their operations.

Wajir County Police Commander John Gachohi urged the fuel station operators to run their business without fear of attack.

He said that already, two people have been arrested after the latest incident at Shawwal petrol station and taken to court.

He said investigations were underway to apprehend more culprits that were involved in the frequent attacks targeting petrol stations at night.