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UNVEILED: Matatu that will replace one burnt during Cord demos


A matatu that will replace the one that was set ablaze during Cord protests early this month is set to start operations next week.

Photos shared on Facebook by one user, Dan Muhuni, show the body of the new matatu which is halfway done and will be soon ready to hit the road.

The unfinished bodywork of the new matatu that will replace the one that was burnt by ant-IEBC protesters on June 6 in Nairobi.
The unfinished bodywork of the new matatu that will replace the one that was burnt by ant-IEBC protesters on June 6 in Nairobi.

The matatu belonging to businesswoman, Agnes Macharia, was burnt down along Juja road on June 6 during anti-IEBC protests called by the opposition.

On June 8, protesting matatu owners and operators dumped the matatu’s shell outside Cord leader Raila Odinga’s office at Capitol Hill.

Matatu operators demonstrating on a city street to protest the burning of two Kayole matatus during Monday's anti-IEBC demonstrations by Cord followers. PHOTO | DAILY NATION
Matatu operators demonstrating on a city street on June 8 to protest the burning of two Kayole matatus during anti-IEBC demonstrations by Cord followers. PHOTO | DAILY NATION

Later on June 14, Listeners of a vernacular radio station raised Sh2 million to help the businesswoman purchase a replacement for the matatu.

RADIO CONTRIBUTIONS

Fans of Kameme FM’s morning show Arahuka, which is hosted by Mr Njogu wa Njoroge, made contribution via M-Pesa towards the purchase of a new matatu.

MPs allied to the ruling Jubilee coalition also made contributions for the same purpose.

Nominated MP Johnson Sakaja (third left) with businesswoman, Agnes Macharia (fourth left), whose matatu was burnt by ant-IEBC protesters on June 6 in Nairobi, when they inspected the progress of the bodywork of the new matatu.
Nominated MP Johnson Sakaja (third left) with businesswoman, Agnes Macharia (fourth left), whose matatu was burnt by ant-IEBC protesters on June 6 in Nairobi, when they inspected the progress of the bodywork of the new matatu.

Nominated MP Johnson Sakaja had on Monday visited the businesswoman, who is a single mother, and posted photos of the progress of the new matatu urging leaders to create a good business environment.

“Leaders must create an environment that is conducive for business to thrive and flourish for job creation as opposed to one where destruction and anarchy reigns,” stated the legislator on his Facebook page.