TOUGH WEEK AHEAD AS ANOTHER MATATU STRIKE LOOMS

#matatumadness

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nce in a while; the matatu sector does something to remind me and Kenyans alike, of their perpetual hostage to it, or rub in the sad fact that those of us who can’t afford private cars can do little when it comes to determining how they would get in and out of the capital city.

Every once in a while; matatu owners withdraw their services, park their vehicles most of the day and are a happy lot when the news in the evening and the newspapers the next day are filled with images of multitudes making the great trek to their places of work.

Public transport once again looks set to grind to halt on April fool’s Day when tough rules for public transport service vehicles take effect.

It is now a standoff between matatu owners and the Government. All matatus have to be registered with savings and credit co-operatives (Sacco’s); which must have proper offices with managers and account clerks.

From July 1, al PSVS will be required to operate a cashless fare system and ensure passengers are issued with receipts for fare paid.

Those who do not comply with the new rules that come into effect on April 1, risk a year’s imprisonment and a fine of up to sh 50,000.

Many await to see this coming week whether the matatu crews will adopt their usual dog-in-a manger logic of getting the message by refusing to ferry Nairobians into the CBD and blocking major roads into the city, including the busy six-city-bound lanes of Thika Road.

The matatus will then participate loudest in the protest-patrolling Nairobi’s streets with their motley crews singing, dancing and chanting, while hanging from the roofs and doors of their gaudily painted Sacco vehicles.

Perhaps, sadly is that the Kenya Country Bus Owners Association has said it will not comply with the new rules announced by Kamau.

This throws into sharp focus the fact that a decade since John Michuki introduced his famous rules, Kenya is still nowhere near having in place a reliable mass transit system in the mould of the more developed countries whose ranks it longs to join by the year 2030.

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.