Matatu owners offer free rides to elderly, disabled for election

An elderly woman votes at Abu Ubeida polling station in Jomvu, Mombasa county, August 8, 2017. /JOHN CHESOLI
An elderly woman votes at Abu Ubeida polling station in Jomvu, Mombasa county, August 8, 2017. /JOHN CHESOLI

Matatu owners will give free rides to the elderly and disabled on Wednesday to ensure they participate in Thursday's repeat presidential election.

MOA chair Simon Kimutai said they have also asked members to reduce fares.

"We assure the public that our services will be available during this period. On Thursday, we will be on the roads as early as 5am," he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"We will offer free rides to the disadvantaged groups to ensure they exercise their democratic right," he added.

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Kimutai said the sector incurred losses running up to billions of shillings due to uncertainty over the repeat election.

"We have lost up to 40 per cent of our revenue because endless politics. We want this period behind us so normal operations can resume," he said.

"People are not travelling because they are fearful. Most of them went back to their villages because they don't know what will happen tomorrow," the chair added.

He urged all Kenyans to come out and vote, noting the government has already assured all citizens of security.

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Uncertainties have surrounded the repeat presidential election after the Opposition vowed to ensure voting does not take place.

NASA leader Raila Odinga withdrew from the race and asked the IEBC to postpone it until reforms are made at the commission to guarantee free and fair polls.

He called for nationwide protests, he asked his supporters to stay home rather than demonstrate on Thursday.

"We have not told people to demonstrate on the polling day. We have not said that at all. We have told people to stay away," he said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has maintained that election will go on as planned and assured those willing to vote of their safety.

Kimutai said that their crew will not discriminate against anybody and will offer transport services to all Kenyans

irrespective of their political affiliations.

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