Governors from five counties envisioned in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area on Thursday proposed an amendment to the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA) Bill to allow them to have a greater say in the area.
Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu who was representing his colleagues from Machakos (Alfred Mutua), Kajiado (Joseph Ole Lenku) Murang’a (Mwangi wa Iria) and Nairobi( Mike Sonko) told the house Transport Committee that the Governors should co-chair the Council, which is authorized to regulate the traffic control and car parking system.
The Council is now headed by Cabinet Secretary in charge of Transport(James Macharia) and is deputized by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.
“We want to amend that from assuming that the co-chair should come from Nairobi, we want that position to be rational because we know very well we develop some interests,” Waititu stated.
[caption caption="Ferdinand Waititu (Twitter"]
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The governors argued that co-chairing the council will ensure consultation on plans to be undertaken by the council through Board, adding this will ease conflict between the two levels of government in future where the holders come from different political affiliations.
“In Clause 6(2) we are consulting that the authority shall facilitate continuous enhancement of the county transport sector staff with the five counties," he noted.
Waititu stated that the County Government as the implementing wing must be allowed to give its input on how to regulate the traffic control and car parking system within Nairobi area.
“County Governments are distinct entities mandated to carry out distinct functions. Therefore the proposed Authority must ensure consistent consultation and cooperation to avoid duplication of duties,” the Kiambu Governor stated.
The authority was formed to address the transport challenges that have hampered the economy of the wider Nairobi Metropolitan Area covering the city, Murang’a, Kiambu, Kajiado and Machakos.
[caption caption="Transport CS James Macharia addressing press (Facebook)"]
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The functions of the authority include developing a coherent transport policy supportive of the development of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.
It will oversee the implementation of an integrated transport master plan and will also manage the development of a sustainable, integrated Mass Rapid Transit System strategy.
