Buses and matatus pick up upcountry travellers at Nairobi’s famous Machakos country bus station. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE
The Matatu Owners Association (MOA) has invited Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja to a round table meeting ahead of the move to streamline the operation of public service vehicles in the capital.
This comes amid a plan by the Nairobi County government to move long-distance matatus from the Central Business District (CBD) to Green Park Terminus.
The idea is aimed at decongesting matatus from CBD.
In an interview with NTV, MOA Chief Executive Patricia Mutheu suggests the governor rushed to implement the decision without proper consultation with the industry stakeholders.
The CEO has asked the governor to give them more time for transition and that rushing to make such implementations might affect jobs and other businesses as well.
“Let’s sit down. Let’s come up with a workable decision. We need also a space for transition. It will create a lot of frustration. You just can’t wake up one and says we are moving out,” Ms Mutheu said.
She said that the matatu industry has not only created employment opportunities for operators but as well to graffiti artists and those behind music installation in matatus.
“The moment you move the matatus out, these people will sleep hungry. Let us have a seamless transition so that all these stakeholders are not affected.”
Recently, the governor dismissed speculations that his move was to eject a section of matatu saccos from town.
Governor Sakaja has reiterated that the plans to decongest the city are unstoppable, calling upon the matatu sector to support him.
Initially, the Green Park Terminus was established purposely to serve PSV vehicles operating within Nairobi County, mostly those applying Ngong Road.
However, even after several trials, NMS failed to actualize the plan.
The move to relocate long distance matatus attracted a public spat between Sakaja and Deputy President William Ruto.
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