Mutua grounds bodabodas, tuk tuks in new directive over coronavirus

Thousands of bodaboda operators within Machakos County have been pushed out of business following a ban announced on Monday by Governor Alfred Mutua in a move he says will protect residents from the risk of contracting coronavirus.

Low capacity public service vehicles including Tuk Tuk and Maruti have also been ordered out of the roads for at least two weeks.

In a statement to the press, Dr Mutua (above) also announced a waiver of all applicable taxes for the affected low capacity public transport operators for the remaining days of the current calendar as a way of cushioning them from loss of income.

“From Wednesday March 25 2020 5 am, no bodabodas, Maruti or Tuk Tuks will be allowed to operate in Machakos County for the next two weeks. We cannot pretend we are keeping the required social distance and still riding bodabodas where the separation between the rider and passenger is zero,” said the governor.

Mutua also raided miraa and muguka dens, pool playing areas and also banned groupings of more than three people. Mutua issued a stern warning to residents who may go against the directives.

“Any people defying these directives that are being made for public good will be viewed as enemies of the people and danger to the society,” he said.

However, Machakos County government staff have been directed to work in shifts-including those working in non-essential services. The county boss has directed chief officers to come up with work shift schedules by close of business Monday.

Office meetings for county government staff have also been banned.

“All staff meetings and departmental meetings to be conducted virtually using the internet and social media,” he said.

The governor, however said the directives will be reviewed from time to time and may be eased depending on the current national and county situation.