‘Tuk tuks’ get county green light

By JOACKIM BWANA

Mombasa County governor Hassan Joho has assured tuk tuk taxi operators of his government’s support.

He said tuk tuks have helped the transport sector around Mombasa and also created employment for many youths in the county.

Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the county government and Mombasa tuk tuk operators on Thursday at the Makadara grounds, Joho said the move seeks to achieve efficient traffic management.

“This is an effort by the county government and all relevant stakeholders to decongest the city centre, instill discipline and enhance security,” Joho said.

He said from statistics, a city that is able to decongest by 70 per cent is in a position to develop by 30 per cent as this will save time and promote growth.

Joho added that tuk tuk operators were also part of the city and hence the need to negotiate and understand each other on the measures being put in place for betterment of the county.

The county executive member for transport and infrastructure, Mohamed Abas said the agreement would see tuk tuk operators use Digo road, Jomo Kenyatta Avenue and Moi Avenue between the hours of 7 am and 10 am.

The roads may however be used for picking and dropping of passengers between 10am and 4pm provided they do not cause obstruction.

Abas said all tuk tuks would be issued with unique identification numbers by the government.

Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Malwa said the tuk tuks contributed to revenue collection in the county and the Government as a whole. The memorandum states that only qualified and disciplined drivers are engaged to operate.