Matatu operators in Vihiga have announced plans to halt services should the county government fail to resolve their grievances, including lowering the levies imposed on motorists.
Addressing the press on Monday, January 6, the matatu owners threatened to stage demonstrations over what they termed as a sudden increase in the levies from Ksh300 to Ksh600.
While expressing their frustrations, the operators accused the county government of unfairly and disproportionately increasing taxes without their prior knowledge.
According to the motorists, the Vihiga County Government did not conduct any meaningful public engagement before implementing the new levies.
“These people just conducted their public participation; they hired people to represent matatu operators, but what I want to say is that life has been hard for matatu owners,” commented one of the drivers.
“They have been paying Ksh300 per day, but why make us pay Ksh600 per day, which is about Ksh18,000 per month? What profit will we be making? We won't pay the money.”
Responding to the complaints, representatives from the Vihiga County Government attributed the decision to increase the levies to the county's implementation of the County Finance Act 2024.
The county government further noted that adequate public engagement had been conducted before the implementation of the Act, adding that the motorists were well informed about the decision.
Additionally, county officials revealed that they had contacted representatives of the matatu operators for scheduled talks to resolve the issue, which has since crippled the transport sector in Vihiga.
This latest development comes barely two months after matatu operators in Machakos downed tools to protest against Governor Waninya Ndeti's administration, accusing it of increasing matatu fees.
In a notice issued on November 26, the operators criticised the county government for using the Finance Act 2021 to impose an additional fee of Ksh2500 on motorists.
“There is no justification for charging an annual county commercial vehicle registration fee that cannot be linked to any service provided especially when the vehicle may not operate within the county year-round,” lamented the motorists.
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