Matatu have enjoyed some freedom for quite sometime since CS Matiang’i lessened his crack down.
But in an impromptu raid to the matatu operating in Nairobi,most people have been caught up on the wrong side of the law.
Over 100 matatus have been impounded in Nairobi’s Central Business District for illegal parking.
This follows a raid carried out on Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) on Latema Street, Moi Lane, Tom Mboya Street, Gill House area and Munyu Road on Thursday.
Several matatu operators, who were arrested during the operation, will be charged in court.
Nairobi County Parking Services Director Tom Tinega said that the impounded matatus were found dropping and picking passengers in undesignated areas.
“We have put the rogue PSV operators on notice. We will not allow them to break the law,” said Tinega on Thursday.
Last week, Governor Mike Sonko warned county officers who collude with the rogue PSVs operators. The officers were said to be collecting money from drivers whom they allowed to create illegal bus stops.
Governor Sonko said that senior inspectorate officers and those from the parking services had been implicated in the racket that had made the county government lose revenue.
“There are my officers in the parking and inspectorate departments who are dishing out stages for money,” he said.
Double parking, illegal bus stops and private cars operating as PSVs have been blamed for the congestion in Nairobi CBD.
Appearing before Nairobi County Assembly Transport Committee, Matatu Owners Association Chairman Simon Kimutai blamed congestion in the city on cartels.