County bans matatus from operating at petrol stations, along highways

Matatus in Narok banned from operating at petrol stations and along the highway in a bid to restore sanity in town.

Following the recent matatu demonstrations in Narok Town, the area county government has banned usage of petrol stations and subsequently public service vehicles operating along the Narok-Bomet Highway in a bid to restore sanity in the town’s transport sector.

Addressing journalists after meeting with matatu owners, Urban Planning Executive Julius Sasai said they agreed with the matatu investors that all the PSVs be relocated to the main stage to curb unnecessary wrangles over parking spaces.

The move comes barely days after chaotic demonstrations in the town on Saturday last week after members of two companies, Narok Line Service and Narok Star Shuttle clashed over parking space leading to the dramatic closure of a petrol station.

“Today we held fruitful deliberations with transport sector businessmen and agreed on lasting solutions to the transport sector arrangement which recently led to unwarranted tension. This is because we need an enabling environment for our investors,” said Mr Sasai.

The county government official said the usage of petrol stations as well as PSV’s operations will be illegal and saccos found flaunting the new regulations will be heavily fined.

In a bid to protect the matatus operating from the main stage from competition from their rivals using the highway to various destinations, the official said they will deploy law enforcement officers to man the possible picking points along the highways.

He said: “we shall ensure that all the commuters board the vehicles at the main stage to protect our matatu investors as well as the county revenue.”

The CEC also pledged that the main stage will be expanded and rehabilitated to accommodate the growing matatus and other public service operators.

The matatu operators and respective petrol stations have now been asked to respect the county decision or risk their licenses being revoked.

The CEC also took the opportunity to defend the county government against biasness which allegedly led to the recent demos saying the county was neutral.

“As a county we support all the investors as long as they will respect they respect the law. We are also firm in ensuring that there is peace and tranquillity in the town and that investors are protected,” he said.