Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Thursday declared that the matatu CBD ban would be back again.
Speaking during the KCB Foundation 2jiajiri Youth Empowerment Program at the Safaricom Indoor Arena in Kasarani, the governor stated that Monday's exercise was just a drill to see how the situation would get and advised Nairobians to get ready to walk again.
"Hii ya kwanza ilikuwa drill. Mlitembea on Monday na mtatembea tena (That first one was a drill. You walked on Monday and you will walk again)," he stated.
He added that in the event the ban was effected again, pregnant women, the sick and the elderly would be given priority to ensure they do not suffer.
Sonko explained that the ban was necessary for getting a solution to the congestion in the city.
"We are not doing this to torture anyone, we want to address the problem of congestion and that involves doing things that will not make me popular. I'd rather serve as Governor for one term," he conveyed.
He maintained that he would not relent on his mission urging people who were fighting him in court to join in providing alternatives rather than dismissing the ban altogether.
"Watu wananipeleka kortini. Even when I was Senator I took Kidero to court. Mtajua Sonko si Kidero. Njoo tufanye kazi pamoja (People are taking me to court. Even when I was senator, I sued Kidero a number of times but I am not my predecessor. Rather than fighting each other, come and let's work together)," he urged.
Suspending the ban on Tuesday, Sonko stated that there was a need for more consultation with the affected parties in order to find a permanent solution.
“I have noted with deep concern the plight of city residents as a result of the ban, and hereby announce that the full implementation of this directive has been suspended with immediate effect,” Sonko announced.
