City to kick-out matatus from CBD in September

Buses at Kencom Bus stage. FILE PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Speaking on Wednesday in his office the Nairobi County deputy governor Jonathan Mueke said that this came after a negotiation with matatu operators to get alternative space before removing them.
  • Mr Mueke said that the city officials have visited the Ronald Ngara street, Accra road and Cross roads and found out that the space was inadequate for the all the vehicles adding that the new stages are enough for the increased public service vehicles in the city.

Phase one of matatu decongestion in the Central Business District (CBD) by the Nairobi county government will commence in September.

This follows the completion of seven new and existing matatu stations.

The seven include Muranga road, Desai Park road, Hakati-bus station, Pumwani, Gitanga, Ngara, Park road and Muthurwa for matatus plying outside the CBD.

Speaking on Wednesday in his office the Nairobi County deputy governor Jonathan Mueke said that this came after a negotiation with matatu operators to get alternative space before removing them.

In April Governor Evans Kidero had issued a directive banning all the matatus in the CBD, a move that received resistance as the county failed to reallocate them.

Mr Mueke said that the directive led to unrest as the county had failed to give them alternative stages to carry on with their business.

“We sat down as stakeholders and agreed on getting a permanent solution to the matatu menace as they had turned the city pavements to parking bays and agreed to come up with alternatives,” said Mr Mueke.

He added that the stages will be used by all matatus from upcountry which have no business getting into the city.

Mr Mueke said that the city officials have visited the Ronald Ngara street, Accra road and Cross roads and found out that the space was inadequate for the all the vehicles adding that the new stages are enough for the increased public service vehicles in the city.

Those coming from central Kenya will be expected to end their journey at either Muranga road or Ngara stages.

The Machakos country bus terminus will serve passengers from Eastern and Coastal regions while those from western Kenya will turn at Museum road and stop at Ngara while those from Thika will stop at Globe Round About, Desai road or Pumwani.

The county, he said, will procure large capacity vehicles that will drop passengers in and across the city centre.