#matatumadness
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O
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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.
