Nairobi county governor Johnson Sakaja on Tuesday, January 10, hinted at having electric buses replace all matatus businesses.
Speaking during an interview on Inooro TV, the governor announced that he could make electric buses take over full transport operations in Nairobi.
This would, in turn, solve many issues experienced by commuters who depend on the matatu industry to get to the capital, especially those relating to hiked fares.
“We can actually tell matatus to relax and then fill the green park with these electric buses. I will know how I will live with the cartels.
Nairobi residents will have many choices and choose what to use. We will have solved this issue of matatus hiking fares just because it is raining,” he announced.
He further challenged the matatu owners to partner with the Bus Rapid Transit(BRT) once it is fully operational.
“Those with matatus SACCOs can own shares in these electric buses and cooperation with them since they will not reach the estates' interiors,” he noted.
Sakaja also stated that the buses are able to cover long distances even if they depend on charging.
“Once charged, the electric buses can last for three days. We will be having charging ports in various places,” he stated.
Speaking about the ban on matatus from the Central Business District, he urged Kenyans to stop saying that he was targeting certain tribes as he was relocating long-distance buses.
“Those complaining from Murang’a county, what are they talking about? Those who should be complaining are the ones using Waiyaki way, long-distance buses.
I have even provided shuttles that will be ferrying people from the green park terminus,” he concluded.
The governor's plan to move matatus from Nairobi had also drawn criticism from Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who warned him of making drastic decisions without consulting him.
“I will meet Sakaja because I am the one who helped him get elected and so any decision, he makes in Nairobi must be agreed upon first," he warned.
