Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and 35 matatu Saccos were ordered to iron the Green Park stalemate within 14 days.
High Court judge Justice Hedwig Imbosa Ong’undi, on Monday, March 6, directed the differing parties to file a report on their agreement before Monday, March 20.
"I also wish to look at the two files brought to my attention. Therefore, I allow parties 14 days to return to the drawing board and agree on the way forward.
"A report is filed on or before March 20, 2023. In the meantime the status quo remains until then," Justice Ong’undi ordered.
He added that he was aware that one party was not presenting the true picture on the ground. As such, the court could not supervise the movement of buses and matatus in the CBD.
“The governor appeared in this court and expressed his willingness to settle this matter. I will, therefore, not allow the unwilling party or parties to drag this matter any further," the judge ruled.
Moreover, Justice Ong’undi noted a pending case pending determination before Justice Anthony Mrima, related to the Green Park Terminus debacle. Therefore, she announced that she won’t give further directions concerning the case filed before her.
In October 2022, two months after the August General Election, transport sector players urged the newly elected governor to drop the Green Park Terminus started by NMS.
At the time, Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon KImutai intimated, "One of the ways of streamlining the sector is by dealing with stakeholders so that they can advise on how to decongest the city."
Sakaja, however, on November 18, 2022, directed buses and matatus serving long-distance routes to relocate to the controversial Green Park Terminus.
He argued that he targeted decongesting the city, an exercise he advocated for in his manifesto.
The affected matatu Saccos served Rift Valley, Western, and Nyanza areas. Some Saccos affected by the directive were North Rift Luxury Shuttle, Madaraka Prestige, Transline, Great Rift Shuttle, and Legacy Luxury.
Kina 2015 Classic, Sasaline Classic Shuttle, Blue line, Team Swat, and Transliner Galaxy were also listed.
His directive attracted sharp criticism, with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua among those who objected.
"I shall sit down with Sakaja because we are the ones who elected him. We must first discuss anything which can disrupt business in Nairobi. We do not need a lot of speed, go slow," he stated.
However, Sakaja downplayed the disagreement at the time, stating that he respected all leaders regardless of their political divide.
10 People Swept Away While Crossing Flooded River News Just In
