The matatu sector operations within Nakuru city found its way into the main campaign agendas for county’s gubernatorial candidates in the August 9 general elections.

Following the relocation of the matatus from the towns Central Business District in March 2020, the issue became a hot potato after the operators’ agitation to return to town sharply conflicted with the county administration’s determination to decongest the town.

Ms Susan Kihika the eventual winner of the elections had committed to return the matatus back to the city centre, a promise that catapulted her to victory.

Read: Kihika at One: A tough talking governor with a few fulfilled promises

Ms Kihika, then the county senator, had held a series of meetings with the stakeholders in the sector in a bid to convince them that she was the one best suited to resolve their issues.

Governor Susan Kihika is joined by Nakuru city manager Gitau Thabanja during a tour of matatu stages in Nakuru city centre on August 30, 2022.

Photo credit: COURTESY

At the time, the operators had made several unsuccessful attempts to return to the town through demonstrations that turned violent, as well as legal suits before courts in a bid to compel the devolved administration to heed to their demands.

The height of their struggle was sometime in November 2020 when a confusion ensued after two conflicting court orders emerged serving each of the two parties interests.

The order that was in possession by the matatu operators had indicated that the operators were free to return their vehicles to town while the one held by the county said contrary.

Also Read: Kihika at One: What Susan has done for the people of Nakuru

Of contention were issues relating to insecurity and lack of proper infrastructure in the new grounds of Ziwani, Gateiguru, Railways and KFA roundabout.

Following her commitment, the operators through their union officials such as Mr Stephen Muli of the Central Rift Matatu Owners Association threw their weight behind Ms Kihika’s bid.

Prestige shuttle chairperson who doubles as the chairperson to the Central Rift Owner’s Matatu Association, Stephen Muli.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/ Mtaa Wangu

Joining them were the Nakuru hawkers and small scale traders operating within the terminus whose businesses had been affected by the relocation move.

After her inauguration on August 25, Governor Kihika formed a taskforce that was mandated with looking into, among other things, the operational challenges faced by the sector and give appropriate remedies for immediate action.

The task force which was chaired by the county secretary comprised members from the public transport and security.

She further directed a 100 percent waiver on all unpaid parking charges for the period running from August to September amounting to a total of Sh 142 million.

“The intervention I have no doubt will afford the sector an opportunity to recover and engage further with my government,” stated Ms kihika at the time.

And on December 7 following an engagement meeting with the stakeholders and the findings of the task force Ms Kihika issued a directive allowing the matatus back to their old termini.

She however issued a raft of measures that needed to be adhered to, failure to which the operators would be thrown out.

An Ariel view of Mashambani stage in Nakuru City.

Photo credit: JOSEPH OPENDA| NMG

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu Mr Muli who leads the operators’ association indicated that the governor’s formula required that each sacco takes two matatus at a time while the others remain in the holding grounds to reduce traffic snarl ups.

According to him the governor has fulfilled her promise to operators.

Read: Kihika at One: Will Susan change the narrative of street families in Nakuru?

“The return of the matatus to the old terminus breathed life to the CBD. We have our businesses back on their feet, small scale traders have re-opened their shops and commercial buildings getting tenants,” stated Mr Muli.

Ms Doreen Cherono, a food vendor at the Mashambani stage agrees that the governor scored highly in honouring her promise as she had lost business when the matatus were taken out of town.

Mr John Kimani a tout at the nuclear sacco noted that little has been done to improve the sector which he said has been taken hostage by the street families that mug passengers.

“Since the matatus were returned to the town the street children are scaring away the passengers as they rob them from as early as 6pm. There is also an increased peddling of drugs in this stage despite dozens of county askaris making patrol here,” said Mr Kimani.

Dr Samuel Mwaura the acting Nakuru county Secretary noted that the matatu sector is considered one of the important sector by governor Kihika’s government which informed her decision to return them to town.

Acting Nakuru county secretary Dr Samuel Mwaura during an interview with Mtaa Wangu on September 27, 2023.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

The sector with over 136 saccos which have an average of 100 vehicles each, Dr Mwaura said creates a direct employment to thousands of families.

He revealed that Ms Kihika’s administration hacked the formula that allows the matatu to operate in town while at the same time managing traffic.

“Some of the measures we put in place include ensuring that all matatus pick and drop passengers at only designated points. This allows free flow of traffic especially along Pinkam roundabout, “said Dr Mwaura.

Related: Kihika at One: The future of pyrethrum revival in Nakuru County

He indicated that the county will have a public participation with operators and traders before making a decision on their relocation to the new bus terminus at Kingdom Seekers which is still under construction.

opendajoseph@gmail.com

Kihika at One: Status of Nakuru's matatu sector since their return to city centre

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Joseph Openda