They say great ideas are implemented by crazy people and in initiating the matatu ban, Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has just joined the list of some of Kenya’s most crazy people.
Not many politicians, have the balls to go against the populace. Most Nairobians are not ready to walk. They see the ban on Matatus as a punishment. Governor Sonko deserves credit for doing what needs be done, even though he knew that doing so might cost him heavily in 2022.
I have seen Senator Johnson Sakaja making a lot of noise on Twitter about the same ban. According to the good senator, you don’t ban Matatus before providing alternative measures. Which is right, but what has he done towards the same?
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 MUST BE RESCINDED immediately and proper planning done.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
We all agree that the public transport sector in the city is chaotic. Change is overdue. We need an overhaul of the whole system. Matatus have taken over major routes in the city and turned them into bus stages.
Driving around Nairobi is next to impossible. You can spend more than one hour just moving from Moi Avenue to Tom Mboya. Something had to give way, and banning Matatus is a step in the right direction.
Following #MatatuCBDBan, Pics of people working to work in Nairobi CBD seem to be shocking people but its a common sight across major cities in the world. Commuters get off buses, trains or trams & walk a few meters to their respective work stations. Cut Governor Sonko some slack pic.twitter.com/QUyl7LUWo9
— Ahmed Mohamed ((ASMALi)) (@Asmali77) December 3, 2018
The governor has received several insults for his stand on the ban. Kenyans like short term solutions to longterm problems. People like Sakaja want to use this as a campaign tool. The ban on Matatus is not meant to punish city residents, It is the first step towards making Nairobi great again. It is unfair, it is premature but it will definitely work out.
Sonko has proofed that he has the balls to do what needs to be done. Kenyans should give him time and let him fix Nairobi.