[PHOTOS] Matatu operators to get vaccinated in 3-day drive

The Nairobi Metropolitan Services has kicked off a three-day exercise targeting matatu workers to get the Covid-19 vaccine.

This comes a month after matatu operators appealed for vaccination as part of a safety campaign.

The outreach, which was launched at the Bus  Station termini, saw matatu drivers and touts getting vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine and Moderna.

To ensure that the matatu workers get the vaccine, the exercise is being conducted at 10 corridors targeting PSVs from different routes.

For matatu operators plying Thika Superhighway, vaccination will be at the Fig tree designated pick up/drop point while for those using Kiambu/Limuru, it will be at the Koja roundabout.

Kabete police station will be for matatus using Waiyaki Way, while those playing Ngong Road will have to go to the New Green Park Terminus to get vaccinated.

PSVs using Langata and Mombasa Road will have their vaccination stations at Nyayo Stadium and Bellevue Stage respectively.

All PSVs using Kangundo Raod will have their vaccination station at the Kayole Junction while those using Juja Road will  go to Kwa chef.

Matatus workers along Industrial Area will be vaccinated at the Bus Station near Afya Centre.

NMS is conducting the exercise in partnership with the Matatu Owners Association and Ministry of Health.

NMS started a vaccination outreaches in late July, targeting to vaccinate a huge number of city residents.

As of August 18, 2021, as per data from NMS, 10 per cent of the population in Nairobi had been vaccinated.

NMS Director of Health Services Dr Ouma Oluga said the vaccine exercise was part of preventative measures against the virus.

He explained that  matatus carry up to 1.8 million passengers every day in Nairobi coming from estates to offices, markets, and on transit, meaning  that they are a huge risk in the spread of Covid-19.

“Our target as NMS is to ensure that the matatu workers get  vaccinated just like front line workers,” he said.

"Matatu workers handle huge traffic similar to frontline workers. By offering them the vaccine, it not only makes them safe but also makes the public that they handle safe,” Oluga added.

Wilson Chege, a matatu operator at the bus station, expressed gratitude to the government for bringing the vaccine to their place of work.

He explained that it was a hassle to go to the health centres to get vaccinated as their work runs throughout the day and they have limited free time.

“Getting the vaccine available at our station of work is time-saving and many of us will make sure we get vaccinated before the weekend ends,” Chege added.