If you thought that the numerous pleas by Nairobi residents to have the ban on Public Service Vehicles from accessing the Central Business District (CBD) lifted by Governor Sonko moved him, then you are in for a rude shock after the latest remarks from the City Boss.
The Governor has asked Nairobi residents to make do with the situation as his government looks for ways of getting a permanent solution to the problem.
Sonko has asked Nairobi Residents to be patient as he is already working round the clock to have the mess sorted out.
He has even had to apologize to the people of Nairobi. While offering an apology, Sonko asked for support saying the situation will improve. He is however yet to lift the ban meaning the ban stays.
Sonko has maintained that the numerous trips he made to places like Kigali, Dubai and New York informed his decision to have the Ban on PSV’s implemented.
Sonko has maintained that it would be a waste of public funds to Visit different places on earth to benchmark on how to improve Service delivery in the City but not implement whatever he learnt in those places.
“Over the months we have been going to Kigali, New York, Dubai to benchmark , Why are we wasting tax payers money if we are not implementing the things we go to learn there?” Said Sonko.
Nairobi Governor Sonko says there is no turning back as CBD matatu ban takes effect, urges for patience amid commuters complaints #MatatuCBDBan pic.twitter.com/ucOzpFuOgg
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) December 3, 2018
Mike Sonko’s move to ban Public Service Vehicles from accessing the Central Business District continue to draw mixed reactions among Nairobi residents with many of them opposing Mike Sonko’s directive.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has now joined in the debate. Babu has termed the ban as total Madness that has been prematurely implemented.
Babu says that while giving the directive, Governor Sonko did not consider a number of important things. He has for instance questioned if the Governor was even mindful of the disabled and if he really considered the great distance between different bus stations.
“MADNESS! #MatatuCBDBan has been prematurely implemented. You cannot ban Matatus from accessing Nairobi CBD without a well developed mass transit system within the CBD. Did Mike Sonko consider the disabled, the sick not to mention the great distance between different bus stations?,” said Babu Owino.
According to Babu, Banning matatus from the CBD is like fighting a dead fight. Babu has compared Sonko’s Ban on Matatus to a man trying to treat diarrhea by blocking the anus.
“Banning matatus from the CBD is like trying to treat diarrhea by blocking the anus,italipuka,” said Babu Owino
On his part, Senator Sakaja cited lack of public participation and availability of viable alternatives in bid to block Mr Sonko’s ban.
“The move by Governor Mike Sonko to ban matatus from the CBD is premature, and unfair to ordinary citizens. You don’t ban matatus before providing alternatives for commuters,” said Sakaja on Monday morning.