Sonko, MCAs tussle over control of m**atu termini
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is embroiled in a tussle with the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) over the control of matatu termini in the city.
The battle over who should control the allocation of pick-up and drop-off points and extension of routes in the capital has now taken a new twist with the Executive accusing the MCAs of overstepping their mandate.
In February, City Hall halted issuance of new licences to matatu saccos following revelations that more than 400 unregistered saccos were operating illegally.
Efforts to contact Sonko over the matter were futile as his phone went unanswered for the better part of the yesterday.
Data relayed by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revealed there were only 272-registered matatu saccos in Nairobi against 692 saccos in City Hall records.
In light of this, members of Nairobi Assembly Transport committee blamed the disconnect between Transport and Parking sub-sectors for the surge in the number of unregistered saccos and even accused Director of Parking Services Tom Tinega of overstepping his mandate by getting involved with the issuance of pick-up and drop-off points, route extensions and loading zones, which were functions of those in the transport sector.
The Executive has now accused the Assembly of interference in its functions, blaming acting Clerk Monicah Muthami of meddling in the operations of the Executive.
Muthami was accused of appointing an officer from the Executive to be in charge of issuance of pick-up and drop-off points as well as route extension letters contrary to Section 9(2) of the County Government Act.
The Act stipulates that a member of the County Assembly shall not directly or indirectly be involved in the Executive functions of the county government and its administration.
On February 3, 2020, Muthami is said to have written a letter to the Director General of NTSA informing the transport agency of a resolution by the County Assembly Transport committee designating Director of Public Works and Transport Eng Jeremy Kimathi as the officer in charge of writing, signing and issuing pick and drop points and approval of route extensions on behalf of the county Executive.
Officers from the Parking and Transport department are expected to appear before the Public Transport committee today for grilling over the matter.
