Are cartels back in running matatu stages in CBD?

The recent mushrooming of matatu stages along Tom Mboya Street has raised eyebrows with questions on whether cartels are back in running the Central Business District.

In the last seven months, Tom Mboya street all the way from Afya Centre to Koja stage has been converted to a matatu parking area as they drop and pick passengers.

This has contributed to the traffic snarl-ups and congestion.

The last legal allocation of picking/dropping zones was done in 2000.

A roundup by the Star on Thursday revealed that the congestion starts around 3pm, with matatus overcrowding along the road in an attempt to get commuters back home.

The situation gets worse during rush hours from 5pm when the overcrowding of matatus along the road is mixed with traffic in and out of the CBD.

It worsens when hawkers place their products on the walkways blocking easy movement of the pedestrians, who are left  with no choice but to scramble the roadsides with the many matatus stationed along Tom Mboya Street.

Behind the Kenya Archives building facing Tom Mboya street, matatus plying Waiyaki way have taken over.

Across the road, matatus  from Eastleigh, Juja, Thika and some plying Jogoo road heading towards Donholm have also taken over the roadside.

The stretch from  Tuskys Taveta supermarket all the way to Odeon, is packed with matatus from Waithaka, Kiambu and some plying the Eastleigh route.

“The situation is chaotic, even crossing the roads is difficult as there is no space left to walk on. The matatus leave little space in between them which puts us at risk of even being crashed in case one matatu decides to reverse,” Diana Wangeci a student, said.

“Walking in the CBD is becoming unbearable. To have an easy time one has to run errands in the morning. Matatus are everywhere and we are wondering where the disorder is coming from,” Collins Kimani a resident, said.

A National Transport and Safety Regulations document released last year February showed that 272 matatu Saccos are registered to operate in the city.

However, there are 420 unregistered Saccos which brings the question on who allocated them space.

In July, The County Assembly of Nairobi passed a motion seeking to remove all on-street picking and dropping zones by the PSVs and boda bodas within the CBD.

This was after concerns were raised on how the PSVs have illegally turned most streets, pedestrian walkways and on-street parking within the city centre into bus stops and parking lots.

Wading into the issue, in  November last year Nairobi Metropolitan Service suspended new allocation of picking/dropping bays for matatus in Nairobi after concerns  were raised over illegal allocations of the bays by unauthorised officers.

Last month Central Ward MCA Daniel Ngegi raised concerns that despite visible efforts by NMS to give the CBD a facelift, the high number of illegal pick/drop points are overshadowing the good work.

Cartels still in charge

Speaking to the Star on Friday, Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon Kimutai said 'cartels ' at City Hall are still running the show in CBD.

“There are cartels both in the matatu sector and City Hall who are responsible for the surge of “unlawful” matatu stages. The allocations are done to the highest bidder depending on the amount they have to offer,” he said.

The MOA boss said the issuance of illegal stages is a cartel turned into a cash cow raking in millions of illicit cash front the matatu sub-sector.

He revealed that the illegal allocation was not new to him as it used to happen even before NMS came into the picture, noting that it was a collaboration done with officials from City Hall and a section of matatu operators.

Passing a message to Badi, Kimutai urged him to involved genuine matatu owners if he wants positive change in the public transport in the city centre.

“Although he has good intentions, It will be difficult for Badi to transform CBD into a no-go zone for matatus, If he continues to ignore the genuine matatu owners in Nairobi," Kimutai said.

“That is why the Green Park Terminal is still facing challenges because of involving cartels," he added.

Silence treatment

NMS Director of Transport Engineer Michael Ochieng did not respond the Star's phone calls or short text messages concerning the issue of illegal allocation.

The same was also experienced by Central Ward MCA Ngegi who has done several letters to NMS concerning the issue but is yet to get a comprehensive feedback.

Apart from the MCA, Other complaints have been raised by City Health Adpost Express Ltd, Giiv Reality Ltd and Smothers Ltd.

Kenya Taxi Cab Association who operate along Odeon Cinema, Tom Mboya Street, Latema Junction and Moi Avenue service lane had written to NMS raising the same queries.

The first letter was done on March 13, 2020 addressing the issue to the County Government and the county assembly.

The association revealed that the illegal allocation of the lay bays along Tom Mboya has created endless traffic.

Through Association’s organising secretary Job Nzioka, they claimed that the allocation of the lay bays are not supported by authorising letters from the relevant authorities.

With no reply or action taken by City Hall, a second letter was written to NMS Boss Badi on July 10, 2020

“Any complaint lodged with the officials of the county government is never acted upon and on inquiry, the relevant offices confirm verbally of ACTION to be taken,” reads the letter in part.

Giiv Reality Limited, the Property Management Company for Odeon building LR 209/4400 on March 9, 2020 via letter addressed to the assembly and office of the Governor raised the issue.

They noted that business owners and their customers are harassed by the unruly matatu drivers and touts.

The company also complained of the adverse health impact on the tenants due to the fumes from motors and noise pollution.

“The adverse environmental and safety impact has created congestion along Tom Mboya street with residents always in fear of being mugged and illegally garbage dumping remains uncollected along Timboroa Lane from stages set up there,” reads the letter in part.

-Edited by SKanyara