Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has thrown his weight behind Nairobi Governor Sakaja’s directive of ordering long-distance matatus out of the city centre.
The vocal trade unionist reiterated Sakaja’s calls of bringing sanity to Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) in a bid to transform the capital city into world-class city.
“Nairobi must be like other cities, not one where matatus and those selling bhang crowd the CBD," Atwoli stated.
"We must bring sanity in our cities like it is in Cairo, Kigali, Durban, and other international cities around the world,” he added.
Sakaja’s directive of throwing long-distance matatus out of CBD, and relocating them to the Green Park terminus, had been greeted with mixed reactions with various leaders giving clashing opinions.
"We must support the government and Sakaja in making sure that Nairobi has an organized public transport system,” the COTU SG added.
Atwoli spoke after jetting back to the country from Egypt.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had cautioned the county boss to go slow on the directive, sentiments that were echoed by the former governor of Nairobi Mike Sonko.
Sonko threatened to lead the collection of signatures to oust Sakaja in the event that he did not retract his directive.
"Governor Sakaja is working with and helping people who never helped him to power. He is disloyal to UDA and its leadership,” the former governor stated.
Members of Parliament from the Western region added their voices to the whole debate supporting the first-time governor and warning those attacking him on his style of leadership.
The lawmakers lashed out at the deputy president faulting him for abandoning his duties as assigned by the head of state to pick unnecessary and unfounded fights with Sakaja.
