Matatu operators within Nairobi Metropolitan issued new demands to Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, January 22, the Matatu bosses called on Sakaja to have a sit down with them so as to come up with a solution to decongestion in the city.
They announced that the city was big enough to handle as many vehicles as possible if only the right strategy was applied.
“The solution is with us. You cannot wake up and make a decision on our behalf that you will take us to Green Park Terminus,” announced K-trans official Simon Ngugi.
A file photo of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja
File
He further urged him to consider having open forums with all Matatu business owners so that they can air their grievances.
“Let us stop seeing that the whole process being solved by just two people sitting down at city hall. Make sure you involve everyone in this because different routes have different problems,” he noted.
In addition, Ngugi noted that the congestion was being brought about by the small cars being allowed to park in the city.
“We are not to blame, the private cars are the cause of the congestion and the long-distance buses. You will find these buses parked outside their booking offices for a whole day,” he uttered.
Bosire Wilfred, Chairman of the Matatu Crew Association, stated that Sakaja lacked a good plan to bring an end to the chaos in the city.
“Nairobi is not full, what is lacking is proper planning, you are using shortcuts to come up with a solution that’s why we are still stuck at the same spot,’ he noted.
Sakaja had previously kicked Western and Rift Valley Matatus out of CBD after meeting Saccos and other transport stakeholders.
The Saccos however were granted a reprieve after High Court issued orders barring the move to Green Park Terminus.
His directive, however, was opposed by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, setting the stage for a supremacy battle that saw the governor threatened with impeachment from a section of Kenya Kwanza leaders.
“Anything that he decides on that may affect your business in Nairobi. We must first talk and agree. There is no hurry. The issue of ejecting matatus from Nairobi will not happen,” stated Gachagua.
Undated photo of matatus at a bus terminus
File
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