Angry Nairobians lash out at Sonko over matatu ban

Pedestrians use a footbridge to cross Muranga Road at Ngara in Nairobi on December 3, 2018 after City Hall barred matatus from accessing the central business district. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Traders who operate businesses near bus termini expected to make less since they rely on passengers for most of their sales.
  • Travellers with luggage burdened with having to either pay extra or lumbering across town to connect to new matatu termini.

Irate Nairobians lashed out at Governor Mike Sonko blaming him for the commuting delays experienced on Monday morning as the matatu ban in the Central Business District (CBD) took effect.

Residents camped on his Twitter page questioning why the plan had to be implemented with no buses in operation to move commuters from the termini to the CBD, Community and Upper Hill as earlier announced.

Commuters had to walk from Ngara and Muthurwa termini to the CBD.

As the governor shared an update on his Senate appearance on Monday morning, all comments on his post were on the matatu ban effect on commuters.

Mr Jared Maticha angrily responded:, “You are messing [up] our city.”

Another person, Mr Geoffrey Mbugua accused Mr Sonko of being out of touch with "the problems facing Nairobians today.”

Ms Irene Kamso told Mr Sonko that his decision has a negative impact on residents who either had to choose between walking to connect to other buses or pay extra.

“Are u really fair to Wanjiku? Walking from Muthurwa to bus station and buses charging Sh50 to Community,” said Ms Kamso.
Some got personal, calling Kenyans who vote for rich politicians who drive luxury cars complete with police escorts to their offices yet it is the electorate who have to walk long distances to get to their work places.

“Kenyans elected a leader who will get to his City Hall office using a V8 and several escort cars. The same Kenyan will walk from Muthurwa to Fig Tree [stage] in Ngara everyday to get to his office in Westlands and walk back in the evening to his home in Eastlands,” said Kezz Gichuhi on Twitter.

UPCOUNTRY TRAVELLERS

Travellers arriving to the capital early Monday morning from upcountry were also among those hard hit by City Hall decision to ban picking and dropping off of passengers in the CBD.

Besides these groups, traders at matatu termini are expected to make less earnings from their businesses since they rely heavily on the human traffic from passengers alighting and boarding vehicles.

Those arriving from upcountry usually carry heavy sacks and cartons of foodstuff especially during the December festive season besides their normal luggage, and a number of them were seen stranded at various bus stations as they tried to figure out how to reach their destinations on the outskirts of the city.

Kenyans expressed mixed reactions on social media on the implementation of the ban by Governor Mike Sonko’s leadership.

'POORLY PLANNED'

A section of Kenyans on Twitter complained that the idea of driving public service vehicles out of town was poorly planned and is a recipe for chaos in the city’s public transport sector.

“It's brilliant but not now. As of today, it's a populist move to look like he (Sonko) is ‘working’. Truth be told, banning matatus won't end the public transport mess in the city,” @GrayMarwa said on Twitter.

Another Twitter user @geonal captured the sentiments of residents and visitors arriving from towns outside the city, exclaiming: “Arrived at Easy Coach Railways at 5.30am with personal mzigo (luggage) and someone expects me to lug it all the way to Fig Tree?”

But @juniormarto had some advice for those coming from upcountry: “Fam, I just wanna ask (sic) those at home just don't carry any luggage…we're officially a walking nation.”

Other residents who reside on the east part of the city and have to connect to several buses to get to work beyond the CBD couldn’t bear the thought of having to walk all the way from the new terminus in Muthurwa, then past the town centre to the new terminus.

“I'm just stressed with this whole CBD ban. So from City Stadium Roundabout (Muthurwa) am I expected to fly up to Fig Tree? Or how does one commute from Doni to Lavi (Donholm to Lavington)?” asked @janngugi.

'WALKING HEALTHY'

But on the other hand, others praised the ban saying that it will assist in maintaining order within the city centre.

Proponents also claimed that it is about time Nairobi residents embraced the idea of walking longer distances for their personal health benefits.

“I'm glad that city hall has finally woken up to the fact that Nairobi needs renaissance. We can't have people being dropped off at their door steps. Walk, it's healthier that way,” said @kirundiray.

Similarly, others blamed matatu operators for failing to maintain order when they were allowed into the town centre as they chose to turn bus stages into parking lots instead of using them to pick and drop passengers.

“The matatu guys should tell us why they need spacious parking area. Bus stations are for dropping and picking passengers! Let them comply. We are tired of heavy air pollution in CBD,” said @elinzola.

The ban comes three weeks after the national government started a crackdown on PSVs that have been flouting traffic laws popularly referred to as ‘Michuki Rules’.