Transport in Machakos is set to be paralysed after matatu owners on Tuesday, November 20, staged demonstrations over alleged mismanagement of the transport sector in the county.
The PSV operators accused Rita Ndunge, Head of Transport in the County Executive Committee (CEC) of poor management of the transport sector. In addition, they accused Rita of turning a deaf ear to the needs of the PSV operators and abusing officials of the Machakos Matatu Owners Association(MAMOA).
The strike has crippled transport operations in Machakos with passengers stranded as matatus and taxis (Maruti) ceased operations. As a result, trips from Machakos to Nairobi, Machakos to Kitui, Machakos to Makueni and Kitui to Tala have been paralysed.
The striking operators have argued that despite incurring losses from the strike, the transport situation had become untenable thus necessitating them to down their tools.
“For far too long, the CECM has failed to heed the issues facing PSV operators in Machakos. She has failed to honor our requests for meetings and for the few she has attended she has displayed a bad attitude towards us- by hurling verbal abuse at us. This is why we have decided to halt all public transport operations in the county today. We have realized that this might be the only way our issues will be addressed,” claimed Duncan Mbithi, vice chair of MAMOA.
Onesmus Kyalo, the chair of MAMOA provided further details on the rift between the PSV owners and Ndunge. He claimed that the CECM was facilitating infighting amongst SACCO owners and between matatu and taxi owners.
“We have raised numerous complaints regarding the various SACCOS in Machakos to the transport CECM. However, instead of addressing these complaints, the CECM has only gone to pit the SACCOs against each other. Further, she has been out to divide matatu owners and taxi owners in the county. This is why we have decided to strike today,” Kyalo added.
MAMOA officials also accused Ndunge of branding them a ‘cartel’, arguing that her remarks could have negatively impacted their businesses.
“It’s quite a shame that the CECM has gone as far as calling us a cartel. We are in the transport business and as investors, we are aware of the impact such comments can have. We employ a large number of people and contribute to the economy of Machakos County,” one of the officials added.
Passengers who were caught up in the strike voiced their frustrations saying the strike had inconvenienced them.
“I have been left stranded due to the strike today. I came from Nairobi. I am pregnant and I need to go to a maternity clinic. Who will take me? I urge the county government to sit down with the PSV operators and find a solution to this mess,” Dorcas Matinge, a frustrated passenger stated.
At the same time, the PSV operators reiterated that they were in full support of Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, noting that their only issue was with Ndunge. They further called for her removal from the county executive committee.
“We would like to reiterate that we fully support Governor Ndeti and her leadership. The only person we have a problem with is Rita Ndunge, the Transport CECM. We demand her removal,” the PSV operators declared.
