Police bar operators from town

Police officers at Nakuru main bus terminus after matatu operators successfully forced their way back to the town centre on October 17, 2020. [Kipsang Joseph,Standard]

Celebrations by matatu operators were cut short yesterday morning after they woke up to heavy police presence sealing off entry points to the Nakuru central business district (CBD).

The operators had forced their way back to the CBD on Saturday morning despite police presence.

Their premature return was informed by the approval of a motion by the county assembly recommending that Governor Lee Kinyanjui allows two vehicles for each Sacco in town.

Menengai East Ward Representative Wilson Mwangi, who sponsored the motion, accused the PSV operators of returning to town before the approval of the governor.

“The procedure required the governor to agree to our recommendations. The matatu operators rushed back to the terminus before this could be done. We fought for them but they have now spoilt everything,” he said.

After passing of the motion, the operators embarked on fumigation of the main terminus and installation of hand washing centres for use by commuters.

The MCA explained that his motion was seeking a temporary solution as the county government embarks on construction of a new matatu terminus.

“We only recommended that they bring in a maximum of two matatus for each of the 86 Saccos. In their indiscipline they brought in all their vehicles turning the town chaotic,” said Mwangi.

Central Rift Matatu Owners Association Chairman Stephen Muli, who led the operators back to the CBD, said they were in talks to chart the way forward