Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko woke up to a series of public out cry all over the city after his directive that matatus should not be allowed to access the city. This move was aimed at reducing congestion in the city and noise caused but the matatus.
But it seems Sonko did not carry out prior consultation before deciding to execute the plan. Has it looks the ban may fail just soon enough.
Hundreds of Kenyans have been forced to walk to Nairobi CBD as matatus have been denied entry into the CBD #MatatuCBDBan @Ma3Route pic.twitter.com/hwnkjlUjC9
— KOT NINJA 🥋 (@KOTNINJA) December 3, 2018
The residents of Nairobi were subjected to a walking spree on a Monday morning as the police were deployed ready at every end point as directed by the county boss.
GOVERNOR SONKO apologises to commuters for pain caused by CBD matatu ban, asks for support saying situation will improve. #MatatuCBDBan pic.twitter.com/CgjioYjXEE
— NationBreakingNews (@NationBreaking) December 3, 2018
But he has received a lot of opposition even from his senator who has moved the move.
Nairobi Senator Jonhson Sakaja has moved to court to seek orders suspending the ban of matatus from the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
In his case, Sakaja argues that the Nairobi County Government has enforced the ban without conducting public participation.
As I said yesterday and before. The move by @MikeSonko to ban matatus from the CBD is premature, and unfair to ordinary citizens. You don’t ban matatus before providing alternatives for commuters. MUST BE RESCINDED immediately and proper planning done. #MatatuCBDBan pic.twitter.com/4SXa8PpTUO
— Sakaja Johnson (@SakajaJohnson) December 3, 2018
He further faults Governor Mike Sonko’s administration for ejecting the matatus from the city centre without providing convenient alternatives, thereby leaving commuters stranded.
The same sentiments have been echoed by the Senate to warn the Nairobi Governor that he can implemented a law which is unprecedented. Appearing during the senate Mike Sonko argued that the ban was gazetted long time and that the city was ready to adopt the policy.
Nairobi County governor Mike Sonko is currently appearing before the Public Accounts Committee to answer to audit queries#KTNNewsCentre pic.twitter.com/v7wdDql72z
— ktn (@KTNKenya) December 3, 2018
The senate disagreed with Sonko’s arguments terming it as not being logic which he should have given a prior warning before the implementation.
He has been forced to residents of Nairobi for the inconveniences caused by his directive but he has promised to devise a better means to make it work.
Do you support the ban on matatus accessing the CBD? If yes what options do you the county government should adopt in order to make the law conducive?