Kidero cancels matatu parking licences after traders' protests

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (right) with newly appointed county executive committee member for the environment, water, and sanitation Peter Kimori during the swearing in ceremony at City Hall on March 29, 2016. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • It is hoped the move will help decongest the city centre.
  • Dr Kidero said the traders had a right not to remit payments to the City Hall as their businesses were affected by the matatu operators.
  • He was speaking during the swearing in of the new county executive member for environment water, sanitation and energy, Mr Peter Kimori.
  • On the issue of garbage in the city, Dr Kidero warned the new appointee he would be sacked if he does not turn around the department.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has cancelled matatu parking licences in the city centre following protests by traders.

The announcement came after traders, whose businesses have been hurt by the matatus parking in front of their premises, threatened to stop paying land rates and licence fees to the county government.

The governor said he would direct the county executive responsible to immediately cancel the public service vehicles' parking permits and allocate them afresh.

It is hoped the move will help decongest the city centre.

Dr Kidero was speaking during the swearing in of the new county executive member for the environment, water, sanitation and energy, Mr Peter Kimori.

He said the traders had a right not to remit payments to City Hall as their businesses were affected by the matatu operators.

“I fully support the traders not to pay taxes as the matatu operators have become undisciplined and I will first deal with the menace by removing them from the CBD,” said Dr Kidero.

IMMEDIATE DIRECTIVE

The governor blamed the menace on some city officials who have been giving the permits with impunity.

“I will communicate with the executive to start the cancellation with immediate effect,” said Dr Kidero.

On the issue of garbage in the city, Dr Kidero warned the new appointee he would be sacked if he does not turn around the department.

The department has been in the spotlight in recent times following an increase in uncollected garbage in the city.

“This docket is so visible and if there is a public outcry, either because of garbage or water, I will definitely sack the person in charge,” said Dr Kidero.

Dr Kidero said that since he came to power, the department has lost two executives, whom he accused of underperformance.

NYS CONTRACT

The governor defended the multimillion-shilling contract with the National Youth Service, saying the agency was doing a magnificent job in cleaning up the city.

“The city has been clean during the Easter holidays. Most of the NYS trucks had broken down, but they still made sure the city was clean,” said Dr Kidero.

Mr Kimori takes over the docket previously held by Evans Ondieki, who was sacked in February under unclear circumstances.

Speaking at the same forum, Mr Kimori said he would review the output of all contracted private garbage collectors before deciding which contracts to renew.

The contractors have been accused of sabotaging garbage collection, citing unfairness in the zoning that was introduced by the county government.