Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko now has some relief as he is not completely alone in the matatu CBD ban especially after his colleague in the county government, Senator Sakaja Johnson went to court to stop the ban. A section on Nairobi Jubilee MCAs have announced their support for the move by the county government to ban matatus from the CBD and hit out at politicians opposing the directive.
Led by Majority leader Abdi Guyo, the ward representatives said the ban would help decongest the city centre.
“We have all been crying for the county government to act because of the lawlessness that was there. Business people are making losses because their shops have been blocked by matatus,” Guyo said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference attended by about 15 MCAs in City Hall, Mr. Guyo said that CBD has been chaotic and ungovernable because of “rogue matatu operators” who hoot, park on pavements and block shops.
Guyo added that some matatu drivers frequently flout traffic rules by making U-turns in the middle of the road, overlapping and driving carelessly. He further criticised Senator Johnson Sakaja for opposing the ban accusing him of seeking political mileage.
“Sakaja should support the governor’s policies and efforts to decongest Nairobi. We know he has an eye on 2022, but we want to tell him that it is not time for politics. It is time to work for the people of Nairobi,” Guyo said.
Following the ban that took effect today, commuters were forced to walk several kilometres to their workplaces and places of significant engagement after police officers blocked matatus from accessing the CBD.
Commuters from Thika and Kiambu roads were dropped at Ngara while those from Jogoo Road ended their journey at the Muthurwa stage. Residents from Ngong and Lang’ata roads ended their journey at Railways bus station.
However, not all MCAs sided with Governor Sonko as others like Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok said the ban was an inconvenience and punishment to innocent residents who were going to work. He further demanded that the ban be suspended immediately.
Matatus operators protested against the ban saying the gazetted stages cannot accommodate their vehicles. However, the county government dismissed their claims arguing that the stages are meant for picking and dropping passengers and not parking spaces for matatus.
It’s interesting to see how those who we voted in to represent us have now turned against us to support polices that oppress us. Were you greatly affected by the matatu CBD ban?