A section of matatu operators in Nakuru have on Thursday pleaded with Governor Lee Kinyanjui to allow them into the new Matatu termini.
The termini was constructed at Kenya Railways Grounds along Geoffrey Kamau Road.
Nakuru County Matatus Association, William Wafula, said they were ready to take up space in the new termini even as the County Government’s Roads and Public Works did its final touches on the facility.
“We are aware that the county is still finalising its work on the termini, but we are kindly ask Governor Kinyanjui to allow matatus in for the sake of their welfare and that of travellers during the forthcoming festive season,” he said.
Wafula said travellers, especially women and children, were suffering a lot because there were no definite matatu termini in Nakuru after the county government relocated Public Services Vehicles outside Central Business District at the onset of Covid-19 in the country.
The county government moved PSV vehicles to three different locations outside the CBD to avoid congestion within the town a move that attracted mixed feelings from different groups of people.
Matatu operators and small-scale traders felt that the move denied them business while the larger business community, a section of residents and motorists embraced the relocation saying that it had eased traffic in the town centre.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Wafula said members of his association will work with the county government to ensure the remaining works were completed smoothly.
“We are not in fights with the devolved government, we have always supported it while the other associations engaged in demonstrations and court battles to challenge the relocation,” he said.
Wafula said Nakuru County Matatus Association did not want to engage in politics because its core agenda was business.
He added that his members had suffered major financial losses since the relocation and were hopeful of making money during the festive season when most people travel upcountry.
The call for support from Kinyanjui comes as another group threatened to call a major protest to push the county government into allowing them back into the CBD.
The association said it would force its way back to the town centre if the county administration failed to heed its pleas.
A peaceful protest that was set to take place today was called off for unclear reasons.
