Matatu strike fizzles out, Nairobi remains affected
Nairobi residents walked to work November 30, 2012 on the second day of the matatu strike. Here, workers are seen at the Nairobi Railways bridge leading to the Central Business District. JULIUS BETT
What you need to know:
New measures:
- Death by careless driving: The offence is punishable by life sentence.
- Overlapping, obstruction, driving on pavement or through a petrol station to avoid traffic: A fine of Sh100,000 - 300,000 or one year in jail or both.
- Careless driving: Penalty of Sh500,000 or 10 years imprisonment or both.
- Number plates: When you sell your vehicle, you should surrender the number plates to the registrar of motor vehicles.
Driving under influence of alcohol: A fine of Sh500,000 or 10 years in jail or both.
The matatu strike called to protest new stringent traffic rules petered out in most parts of the country Friday.
However, thousands of commuters in Nairobi and Nyeri were forced to walk to work as public transport operators boycotted work for the second day.
This came as the Matatu Welfare Association (MWA) called off the strike. Chairman Simon Mbugua said MWA had opened negotiations with government with a view to reviewing the tough traffic rules.
A spot check revealed that matatus plying most Nairobi routes kept off roads as Kenyans chose alternative means to work including using boda boda.
Among the most affected routes included 125/126, 111 (Ngong Road, Ongata Rongai, Ngong), 60/35 (Umoja), 33 (Embakasi, Donhoolm, Pipeline), 110 (Athi River, Mlolongo, Kitengela) 32/42 (Dandora), 17B (Kasarani), 106 (Ruaka) and 58 (Buruburu).
In Nyeri, residents were forced to walk to work as matatu operators boycotted paralysing public transport.
The operators barricaded major roads leading to Nyeri town disrupting the smooth flow of traffic.
It took the intervention of police officers who cleared illegal roadblocks erected by some of the striking operators.
The main bus terminus was empty.
John Maregwa Operations Manager at 2NK Sacco said the strike followed the move by Transport minister Amos Kimunya to introduce harsh traffic rules.
He termed the new regulations as draconian and appealed to government to reconsider the move.
“The minister should have consulted all stakeholders before making such a move,” said Mr Maregwa.
The operators converted the main bus stage into a football pitch.
"We are enjoying ourselves here because no business is taking place at this bus stage,” said one on the matatu operators.
Police are on high alert and patrolling the area to avert any ugly incident.
In Mombasa, matatus operated as usual with some operators calling on the government to implement the existing laws first.
"We cannot strike because we know there is usually a best alternative to block the implementation of the law even if it means going to court if need be,” said George Mwadime, a matatu driver plying the Mombasa-Mtwapa route.
He said the new laws, which will be implemented starting Saturday, are punitive and there is need to review them.
On Thursday, thousands of Kenyans were forced to walk to work after matatu operators boycotted work to protest the new rules.
The operators claimed that the stringent measures would give the police a leeway to extort money and run them out of business.
It was business as usual in Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret and other major townships across the country.
Reported by Nation Reporter, JAMES NGUNJIRI and ANTHONY KITIMO
