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City Hall in top gear to kick out matatus from CBD


The first phase of a plan to remove matatus from the Central Business District (CBD) will commence in September.

This follows the completion of seven termini.

The termini outside CBD will include Murang’a Road, Desai Park, Hakati-Bus Station road, Pumwani, Gitanga, Ngara, Park Road and Muthurwa.

Speaking last week in his office, the Nairobi County deputy governor Jonathan Mueke said this came after a negotiation with matatus to get alternative space before removing them.

ALTERNATIVE SPACE

In April, the governor had issued a directive to ban all the matatus from the CBD, a move that received resistance as the county failed to reallocate alternative space for them.

“We sat down as stakeholders and agreed on getting a permanent solution to the matatu menace as they turned the city pavements to parking bays and agreed to come up with alternatives,” said Mr Mueke.

The deputy governor said the contractors of termini had left them incomplete over non-payments but after talks they had resumed works.

The termini will be used by all matatus from upcountry “which have no business getting into the city”, he said.

Matatus coming from central Kenya will be expected to terminate their trips at either Murang’a Road or Ngara.

The Machakos Country Bus stop will have matatus coming from the eastern side of Nairobi as well as those from the Coast while those from Western will turn at Museum Road and terminate in Ngara.

Matatus from Thika will terminate at Globe roundabout or Desai Park or Pumwani.

MAINTENANCE

Mr Mueke said the county will also tender for the maintenance of the termini.

The county will also seek large capacity vehicles that will ferry passengers, especially those outside the city, from the termini through the city.

“You cannot expect a person to come from Muthurwa bus terminus to the one in Ngara by foot. The county will allow buses to move around, from one corner to another to transport these people,” said Mr Mueke.

Tom Mboya Street, Luthuli Avenue, Mfangano Street, Accra Road and Latema Road have been turned into matatu parking bays as businesses have also been affected.