Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko, issued new directives that will see all matatus banned from parking along Tom Mboya Street, Nairobi.
The governor gave the orders through the county’s Director of Parking Services, Tom Tinega, who disclosed that the use of the street as a terminus will no longer be tolerated.
“All matatu Saccos are advised to have alternative sites as holding grounds. All allotment letters given to individual matatu Saccos stand cancelled,” he revealed.
Tom Mboya street has been known to harbour matatus that ply multiple routes, with most of them using the street as a terminus, stretching all the way from Koja to Afya Centre.
Matatus ferrying passengers to Kikuyu, areas along Thika road, Eastleigh, Kiambu, Buru Buru among numerous others are set to feel the full effect of the new directive.
Mr.Tinega warned that any matatu caught contravening the new orders would be subject to having their license revoked and withdrawn.
He went on to make it clear that the new move was aimed at decongesting the streets of Nairobi.
The Nairobi County director of parking services further explained that most matatus drop and pick passengers on non-designated areas, thus causing an obstruction that results in major traffic snarl-ups.
During the operation, police officers carried out a coordinated crackdown on Latema Road, Moi Lane, Tom Mboya Street, Gill House area and Munyu Road.
Sonko’s latest order comes just a week after over 100 matatus were impounded within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), during a major police crackdown.