Why Kidero wants to ban Rongai matatus from the city centre
Nairobi County Governor Dr Evans Kidero has threatened to ban Rongai matatus from the city centre because of the unruly behavior of their crews.
The governor said recent conduct of matatu crews operating in the route has compelled him to contemplate banning them from the Central Business District.
Should the ban be enforced, Rongai matatus will terminate their journeys in Bangladesh, near Multimedia University, where another vehicle would pick the passengers to town.
Dr Kidero made the remarks during a meeting with Rongai matatu owners on Wednesday.
The tough talk comes after a matatu in the route killed four people and injured over 20 others in September. The accident prompted protests by Multimedia University students who blocked Magadi Road.
GRIEVANCES
Among the grievances that Governor Kidero highlighted to the matatu owners were that their vehicles flout traffic rules, are driven by indiscipline drivers and they shamelessly step on his grass.
“Rongai matatu are the most indiscipline vehicles in the county. They are driven with impunity, they don’t respect the traffic rules and above all they step on Kidero grass, “said Dr Kidero.
He added that the matatu are also non-compliant to paying seasonal parking which serves as revenue to the county.
“You are making over Sh228 million a month running a very serious business in this town but you are the most non-compliant people in paying rates, “said Dr Kidero.
Speaking at the same forum, deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke said that the county had formed a taskforce that is working on new termini that will see all public vehicles terminate their journeys outside the city centre.
RE-ROUTING
Mr Mueke said that the taskforce will also do a re-routing, where a matatu from Rongai can also pass through town and terminate in Dandora.
“We are working to ensure that we don’t all terminate in town, but we can move from Rongai to Dandora and only drop and pick up in town for less than three minutes, “said Mr Mueke.
The Rongai Matatu Association chairman Peter Mwangi raised concerns over harassment by city inspectorate and lack of a terminus for their matatus in town.
