Noose tightens on city matatus as Kidero cancels parking licences

Nairobi County Governor Dr Evans Kidero has ordered all public service vehicles in the city to surrender their parking licences by April 6, 2016 for verification. This comes after the county governmentcrossed swords with the public transport sector, resulting in an aborted strike by Matatu Owners Association on Thursday .



Dr Kidero was speaking during a meeting with other stakeholders in the public transport industry on Friday morning, where he said law and order must prevail in the city. “In order for it to continue attracting investors and visitors, courtesy, observation of transport rules, cleanliness of vehicles and avoidance of noise pollution must be adhered to,” Dr Kidero said.

In the meeting, it was also resolved that promotion of equity on operations must be considered, with all stakeholders agreeing to implement the previous reports of decongesting the city and transport sector, reports Nairobi News.

The meeting also resolved to implement cross city routing and set up a working committee of the transport sector which will consist of National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Matatu Owners Association, Matatu Welfare Association, SACCO representatives and Cooperatives.




The Governor also added that there was need to develop a new public bus terminus outside the CBD and reorganisation of Saccos to make them bigger and stronger.  The battle between the County government and matatu owners began when Dr Kidero threatened to eject them out of the city centre after traders threatened to stop paying levies over what they termed as obstruction.