They say that an idle mind is the devils workshop. Idle Matatu operators in Kisii today turned the Kisii bus stage to a soccer field in a move aimed at keeping themselves “busy” after they boycotted work due to the ongoing Matatu crackdown in various parts of the country.
The matatu operators in Kisii join a long list of other operators who have decided to keep off the roads for what they termed as government’s harassment.
#MatatuCrackdown – Can’t stay still. Matatu operators in Kisii have turned the town’s main stage into a soccer field pic.twitter.com/6v9HmKb1eE
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 12, 2018
Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has not been moved by the matatu operators antics that he has referred to as “monkey games”
The CS has hit out at the operators and even went ahead to encourage them to continue keeping the vehicles off the roads.
“Let us stop these monkey games where everybody thinks they can get their way around. We all must go back to order and we are not relenting on this matter. Those who want to keep away their vehicles at home as long as they please,” said Matiang’i.
Matiang’i has declared that the government will not relent in the latest crackdown to streamline the transport sector in the country.
The CS though warned the matatus not in operation that they risked having their licenses revoked.
“The Transport CS has instructed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to review licenses of those Saccos that are not operating today… When you are licensed you are supposed to do a business not blackmail people.”
The Interior CS was speaking during a tour of the motor vehicle inspection unit at Likoni Road in Nairobi, where he was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet.
Matiang’i further put on notice matatu operators who have resorted to hiking fares to make a killing from the transport crisis occasioned by the PSV strike.
“Some of those vehicles doubling fares on their routes will lose their licenses today. I can assure you that,” said the CS.
Should the government give the matatu operators more time to comply to the new order?