The move by Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui to lock out matatus from the town’s Central Business District (CBD) has elicited mixed reactions from leaders, the business community and residents.
Those interviewed by the Nation say the move may serve as a litmus test for Governor Kinyanjui as the 2022 General Election beckons.
Governor Kinyanjui has maintained that matatus will not be allowed back into the CBD, a move aimed at decongesting the CBD.
Perfect plan? Yes, but observers argue that, if past experience is anything to go by, the relocation may make or break Mr Kinyanjui’s political career.
“The relocation of matatus from Nakuru town is a good thing because it will help decongest the town which is eyeing a city status. But the move may be counter-productive. In the past, former Governor Kinuthia Mbugua relocated hawkers from the CBD but, although he succeeded, the move saw him lose political ground that led to his defeat in the 2017 General Election,” said Mr Jesse Kariuki, a local political analyst.
Just like his predecessor, Governor Kinyanju faces a similar dilemma as his bid to relocate matatu operators to areas outside the CBD is met with resistance
At the centre of the showdown are concerns that the county government relocated matatu operators from the CBD and dumped them in places not favourable for their business, and which do not have basic social amenities.
“We were relocated and dumped in places outside the CBD, which do not have even toilets. Whenever it rains, the situation becomes pathetic with passengers having to crowd in vehicles due to lack of shades,” said matatu operators’ chairman Francis Njoroge.
Matatu operators want to return to their old terminuses as they wait for the county government to give them a better alternative.
The operators accused the county government of riding on the Covid-19 pandemic to kick them out of town.
A majority of business people interviewed, however, lauded the move, saying decongestion of the town was long overdue.
“I fully support Mr Kinyanjui’s move to lock matatus out of town. We want Nakuru town to regain its lost glory as a clean and uncongested town,” said Mr James Mburu, a trader who does business along the town’s main street -- Kenyatta Avenue.
Nakuru Public Opinion Consultative forum ,a lobby group, has urged the county government to drop its hardline stance and meet all stakeholders for an amicable solution.
"There is a need for the county to hire an expert to develop an integrated urban transport master plan in the next five years. Let the county also hold an urgent stakeholders' meeting to address low business in Nakuru CBD and the matatu issue,” he said.
Governor Kinyanjui's activities have also been faulted by Senator Susan Kihika, who said the county administration was fond of harassing business people.
"It is wrong to relocate matatus to places which lack sanitation amenities, no water, no proper entry and exit points. At this difficult time when thousands of employees are getting laid off, we need to protect the few employers still operational,“ said Senator Kihika.
Meanwhile, Governor Kinyanjui has revealed plans by the county government to construct an ultra-modern matatu-cum-bus terminus outside the CBD.
"The county is procuring a contractor to start the building of a modern transport centre that will include all amenities. We have already allocated Sh100 million for this project and will seek more funding to achieve better scope," said Mr Kinyanjui.
"We consider the transport sector to be a critical enabler in unlocking the economy. This can only be achieved in a well-organised and planned manner. The County Government of Nakuru has good intentions whose full implementation will lead to an expanded modern and vibrant town," he said.
The Nation has learnt that the county government has acquired land at the Gate House roundabout, that was previously occupied by a private company, where it plans to establish the ultra-modern terminus, to help fix traffic congestion in the town.
Among the saccos that have offices within the CBD are Mololine Prestige Shuttle, Prestige Shuttle, 2NK Shuttle, Nyakakima Line, Nairobi Line and Njoro Line.
In March, the county Coronavirus Emergency Response Committee ordered all public service vehicles out of the town's Central Business District as a containment measure of the virus.
Most matatu terminuses were relocated to areas including Ziwani, Kwa Jack and Railways grounds, all out of town.
Before the outbreak of Covid-19, the county government had kicked off an ambitious plan to redesign, decongest and improve the town's face as it inches closer to attaining city status.
With the proposal to attain a city status already before the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, Governor Kinyanjui 's administration had already moved to ensure he decongests the town.
