Governor Mike Sonko has issued a new clarification on the gazzette notice that barred Public Service Vehicles (PSV) from entering Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD).
The rules are scheduled to take effect on Wednesday, 20th September 2017.
In a statement released yesterday, the Governor stated: "This is just a pilot project and all school-going children and people going to work will be dropped in the CBD without affecting the flow of traffic."
Matatus will, however, find it harder to park in the city centre or obstruct traffic with a raft of new rules in place to be enforced by the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), City Hall and Traffic police.
At the same time, Sonko has promised that his administration will employ and train 1,000 traffic marshalls from a pool of youth currently working at matatu termini.
He has also promised incentives for high-capacity buses ferrying up to 150 passengers.
He urged the media not to politicize the project, saying it was a consultative effort and he was open to feedback.
The Matatu Welfare Association (MWU) Chairperson Dickson Mbugua had on Sunday come out strongly to oppose the notice.
He urged Governor Sonko to wait for the results of a feasibility study on vehicle movement being conducted by the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority.
He asked, “President Uhuru Kenyatta formed the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority to seek a lasting solution for the traffic problem in Nairobi. Murang’a, Kiambu, Nairobi, Kajiado and Machakos county leaders were on this issue, why is Nairobi usurping their role?”
Also Read: No More Matatus in Nairobi CBD - Here are the New Bus Stations
