MOA partners with GB Auto, call for more government support

The Matatu Owners Association has called for more support from the government saying the matatu industry is a key economic driver.

MOA president Albert Karagacha said Saturday any matter that affects the matatu industry affects millions of Kenyans who use matatus as their primary means of transport.

“That is why we ask the president to consider the plight of the matatu industry and its partners like GB Auto, whom we have partnered with to provide us with their quality vehicles,” Karagacha said.

MOA has partnered with GB Auto to provide their luxurious, high-performance and low-consumption vehicles to matatus Saccos across the country.

They have already provided their matatus to Saccos in Nyeri, Kisumu and now Kilifi county.

GB Auto Mombasa branch manager Edwin Okombo said their partnership will ensure Kenyan roads are well maintained because of their high-quality vehicles.

Okombo also said GB Auto will consequently help Kenyans travel more safely.

Speaking in Mombasa during the handover of a Sh3.5 million 14-seater matatu from GB Auto to Sabaki Travellers Sacco from Malindi, Karagacha said the government support to the matatu industry could be in terms of tax incentives.

“If the government gives tax incentives for vehicle suppliers like GB Auto and help them bring in stronger vehicles that can also help reduce road carnage, then we will be killing two birds with one stone,” he said.

He said the proposed Finance Bill 2024 will negatively affect the matatu industry by increasing taxes which will then be pushed to the commuters, who are already choking with high fares.

“As an association, we oppose that Finance Bill. We already pay very many taxes including fuel levy. In insurance we pay taxes.

“We are telling the government that an additional 2.5 per cent tax on vehicles will just push hustlers to the limit and us out of business,” Karagacha said.

He said the same matatus carry hustlers from places of hustling to their homes and this will make life even more difficult for the already suffering hustlers.

He said the majority of the users of public transportation are low- and middle-income earners, constituting the very hustlers President William Ruto promised to protect from high taxes during his presidential campaigns before the 2022 general elections.

He expressed confidence that the government will hear the cry of the matatu industry and in extension commuters.

“We have a listening president. I believe he will consider our cry and remove that 2.5 per cent tax on vehicles,” Karagacha said.

He said MOA has also partnered with GB Auto on their road safety campaigns that are aimed at reducing road carnage.

Karagacha said the road safety campaign they have been conducting is bearing fruit.

Each Sacco in the country has been conducting a road safety clinic in each county every month.

“As the matatu industry we must change the image of the transport sector,” the MOA president said.

He attributed the recent road carnage to poor visibility because of the heavy rains and mechanical issues of vehicles.

“As the rains subside, we believe the accidents will come down,” he said.

Okombo said their vehicles, which are assembled locally at the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers, have high roofs, long wheelbases, and 2800 cc engines that are made for rugged terrains.

They come with a three-year or 100,000km warranty.

“We assure the Sabaki Sacco they are going to experience one of the best with our vehicles. In terms of the business we assure them they are going to reap the best from our vehicles,” Okombo said.

Due to the low-consumption feature, Saccos who have used the King Long kingwin vehicles have saved almost half of their usual fuel consumption.

The Sabaki Sacco will have the vehicle for a month-long demonstration after which they will start paying the Sh3.5 million at which the zero-mileage vehicle is sold.

“This is to test the vehicle on their roads and to appreciate its efficiency. The agreement which we have signed is for the usage of this vehicle during this time because in as much as they are using it, the vehicle still belongs to us as GB Auto.

After the month, Sacco will tabulate their report in terms of usage.

The vehicles come without seats, but those that come with seats cost Sh3.9 million.

This, according to Okombo, is because different Saccos have different preferences when it comes to seat arrangements.

Justine Matano, the Sabaki Travellers Sacco Kilifi county chair, said they are happy with the GB Auto partnership.

“We saw these vehicles upcountry and we were impressed. So we approached them for a working relation,” said Matano.

“We asked the other Saccos that have benefitted from their partnership with GB Auto. They told us the vehicles are luxurious, have efficient consumption and above all, bring in bigger profits,” Matano said.

He said the after the month-long trial, they will hopefully convince the other 25 Saccos operating in Malindi to join the bandwagon.

“After this month-long trial, we have plans to buy three vehicles from them,” Matano said.

Karagacha said the piloting of the GB Auto vehicles has been ongoing for the last two months across the country.

“We believe that GB Auto have a good product for our members. We tell our members to see how we can support GB Auto,” Karagacha said.