- The main bus terminus was set to move to the newly opened one at Mowlem Nyamasaria bus park.
Image: FAITH MATETE
Matatu Owners Association in Kisumu received a reprieve after the courts temporarily stopped the relocation of vehicles to the newly opened Mowlem Nyamasaria bus park.
The directive was issued by High Court Judge Samson Okong’o on Tuesday.
The ruling is pending the hearing of an application filed by the Matatu Owners Association against the Kisumu County Government and the city manager, Abala Wanga.
According to the court directive, the motorists were given 30 days to continue operating from the Kisumu Bus Park, the notice will lapse on March 20.
The court will later give guidelines on the case and even a possible ruling date.
The Association through their lawyer Aggrey Mwamu had gone to court claiming that the county government had failed to conduct sufficient public participation over the relocation.
Mwamu stated that the county government failed to consider his clients' opinions and even obtained a report from the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema).
He alleged that the new bus park is surrounded by primary schools, polytechnic and even ECD centres and they had not seen any report from Nema on how noise emanating from the bus park will be dealt with.
The first petitioner in the case Charles Obuya told the media that they were satisfied with the outcome.
Obuya noted that the court was the only option remaining for them after their attempts for dialogue with the county government allegedly failed.
“We are happy and within this period of 30 days we have been given, we will address and engage on how we can do things structurally with various stakeholders in place and that the county government will also continue to engage us. They should not do things just on their own," Obuya said.
This comes even as the Mowlem Bus Park was officially opened on Friday as the city embarked on a program to decongest the main bus terminus.
City manager Abala Wanga said construction is complete and the new bus terminus started operations.
He said they have offices for matatu Saccos, toilets and a new police post set to provide round-the-clock security.
Wanga said this is a significant milestone for the lakeside city to enhance the efficiency and safety of public transportation.
“Following a collaborative meeting involving key stakeholders such as the County Government, Police Service and Transport Service, we are pleased to unveil the crucial updates regarding the operationalisation of the Nyamasaria Bus Park and reorganisation of the City Public Transport Mobility System,” he said.
Image: FAITH MATETE