Governor Kidero maintains directive to evict matatus from CBD

Nairobi County Governor Dr Evans Kidero (centre) with the Amani Coalition Congress Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi (right) after Mudavadi paid the Governor a courtesy call at the City Hall,Nairobi. Kidero maintained that the City County Government will not relent on its efforts to maintain order in the Matatus sector ,and maintain the safety and security of its citizens. March 31st,2016. Photo/Elvis Ogina (Nairobi)

Governor Evans Kidero yesterday said he will not relent on his directive to evict matatus from the central business district.

A tripartite meeting between Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, matatu owners and the governor is expected to take place today, with a view to finding a solution to the stalemate.

Dr Kidero confirmed he will be attending the meeting that will also address trans-city transportation to help ease congestion.

"We are considering introducing trans-city operations where, like in the old days, if you started transporting from Uthiru you wound up in Eastleigh. If you started in Kenyatta on Number Seven you end up at Jericho," he said.

He added that the drop-off and pick-up points will still be operational, with matatus only spending three to five minutes in picking and dropping passengers.

Speaking yesterday when he met former deputy prime minister Musalia Mudavadi, Kidero clarified there were 55 cases in court involving public service vehicles (PSVs) operating with fake permits. He added that out of the 30,000 PSVs in Nairobi, only 12,000 paid parking rates and the rest were operating with fake licences.

He maintained that the only gazetted termini are Khoja (old nation), Muthurwa, country bus, Hakati, Bus Station and Railway station.

"By cancelling them we will be able to know which ones are valid when they come forward," he said.

Mr Mudavadi urged the governor to settle the issue to help create a stable working environment.

"We must be able to create stability for those running the city. The level of comfort determines how productive any business is," said Mudavadi.

On Tuesday, matatu owners had issued a strike notice after a standoff between them and the city inspectorate unit. The inspectorate had moved to evict matatus from the CBD. They, however, cancelled the strike after Mr Nkaissery and his Transport counterpart James James Macharia intervened.

"Yes we called off the strike. This is after Nkaissery and Macharia assured us that a solution would be given on Friday (today) morning between them. With that assurance, we had no reason not to call off the strike. What we want is a solution," said Matatu Welfare Association chairman Dickson Waweru.

Telaviv Transporters had been illegally plying two routes, and a court ordered it to stop operating from Gill House and Afya Centre following a case filed by matatu owners and the county.

"We are happy Telaviv Transporters have been told to vacate Gil house and Afya," said  Akila Transporters chairman Ali Mohammed.