‘Leave our matatus alone’ – MP Gathoni Wa Muchomba tells Sakaja
Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wa Muchomba has joined Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in cautioning Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja against expelling matatus from Central Business District (CBD).
Through her social media page, Gathoni pointed out that Sakaja had replaced famous Kaka Travellers (drawn from her constituency) from Tom Mboya street and despite talks with him to revert the directive, it has been months and no changes have been made.
"Governor Sakaja, Kaka Travellers are historic in Nairobi. Kaka stage in Tomboya Nairobi is synonymous with Kaka Matatus from Githunguri since I was a child. They were evicted and replaced with your preference.
"Two weeks ago, I came to see you over the hot issue, you promised to find a solution, to date! Our DP has now spoken; take the wise counsel, Leave our Matatus alone. keeping quiet over this issue for over 6 months doesn't mean we are stupid! We are only patient. Sisi ni sisi!" the MP wrote on Facebook.
The MP's utterances follow DP Gachagua's statement who advised Sakaja not to adopt an initiative that would hurt the Matatu industry.
Speaking in Nyeri on December 19, 2022, Gachagua noted that he was the one who instructed members of his community to vote for Sakaja.
He further stated that the Nairobi governor should consult him when making decisions that could negatively impact businesses.
"Na nimemuambia govana wa Nairobi tutakaa chini na yeye kwa sababu sisi ndo tulimchagua. Mimi ndo niliketisha Wakikuyu pale Nairobi nikawaambia wamchague. Na nimemuita tukae chini na yeye. Mambo yoyote ambaye anaamua ambayo inaweza haribu biashara katika Nairobi kwanza tuongee tukubaliane," Gachagua said.
The Deputy President insisted that banning matatu from operating in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) was something that was impossible.
"Hatutaki spedi mingi sana, twende pole pole. Sindio? Hio maneno ati ya kutoa matatu nini hio maneno haiwezekani. Staki tuanze kusumbua wafanyi biashara," he said.
aid.
Matatu ban
Sakaja wanted matatu Saccos plying the Western, Nyanza, and Rift Valley routes to pick up and drop off passengers from the Green park Terminus starting December 1, 2022.
The decision was reached after Sakaja met SACCOs and other transport stakeholders on November 18, 2022, at Charter Hall.
On November 28, the Nairobi county government published the new guidelines agreed upon and signed by the Acting Nairobi county secretary, Jairus Musumba.
"All PSV SACCOs and PSV companies offering services between Nyanza, Western, North Rift, South Rift, and Central Rift who are currently operating from Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) will be relocated to the Green Park Terminus in the first phase," the notice read in part.
Long-distance travel operators ultimately moved to court to challenge the directive by Sakaja that required them to move to the Green park terminus on December 1.
The operators said the decision was discriminatory as it excluded some of their rivals.
They added that Sakaja’s directive would expose them to huge losses, and would also inconvenience long-distance travellers who predominantly travel with relatively large luggage, especially during the festive season.
The petitioners in the case include North Rift Luxury Shuttle, Madaraka Prestige, Transline, Great Rift Shuttle, Legacy Luxury, Kina 2015 Classic, Sasaline Classic Shuttle, Blue line, Team Swat and Transliner Galaxy.
