Kidero slashes parking fees for city matatus

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has ordered a reduction in parking fees for matatus.

The waiver, benefiting matatus registered to about 70 Saccos, takes effect next month.

Owners of 14-seater matatus will now pay Sh3,650, down from Sh5,000 monthly while 41-seater buses will part with Sh5,500, down from Sh8,000.

Matatus which carry more than 41 passengers had their fees slashed from Sh10,000 to Sh7,250.

Dr Kidero made the announcement at the launch of an e-payment facility for matatu operators in Nairobi Thursday.

In April this year, matatu operators staged protests after the governor reneged on a deal to slash parking fees.

Although the protests were foiled and the new rates were effected, there has reportedly been bad blood between the Saccos and the county government.

County Executive Committee member for Trade, Industrialisation, Co-operative Development, Tourism and Wildlife Anna Othoro said the executive had consulted the assembly and stakeholders to approve the new waiver.

“We followed procedures and the governor, working with the County Executive Committee Finance, processed the request for a waiver and agreed with the county assembly to reduce the charges. It is also within the governor’s powers to grant this waiver,” she said.

The waiver will, however, not include operators who are not members of the Saccos that negotiated the deal.

Dr Kidero has said there are over 30,000 matatus operating in Nairobi and only 11,000 paid fees.