Nairobians woke up to the reprieve of having the matatu ban lifted after governor Mike Sonko suspended it due to overwhelming public outcry.
Suspending the ban, Sonko noted, "I have noted with deep concern the plight of Nairobi residents as a result of the ban, and hereby announce that the full implementation of this directive has been suspended with immediate effect."
During an interview on NTV, Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi revealed that Sonko had called him the previous night confirming that the ban would be lifted pending further consultations.
"He (Sonko) did call me last night and he confirmed that, indeed, he was lifting the ban for further consultations with stakeholders to be held," he stated.
He added that the problem with the ban was the harmonisation of the efforts to decongest the city, that had resulted in inconveniences for commuters.
"A 24-hour economy can only be fully supported if we continue with what we started, which is the Nairobi Metropolis. You must also support other economies around you," Wamatangi opined.
The picture on Monday was that of a walking nation with commuters forced to trek for kilometres to access the designated matatu terminals.
21 matatu SACCOs sued the county government over the ban, a suit which was dismissed with the court declining to stop the ban.
Sonko, had on Monday assured that the ban would not be lifted asking commuters and Nairobians to support the move exuding optimism that the situation will improve.
He, however, changed tune expressing regret on the untold inconvenience suffered by commuters on Monday.
Here is a video of Sonko announcing the suspension of the matatu ban:
