Long-distance matatus have got a reprieve after the High court temporarily stopped their move to the Green Park terminus.
Governor Johnson Sakaja had directed that the matatus should move to terminus effective Thursday.
However, on Wednesday, Justice Hedwig Ong’udi ruled that the status quo should remain until December 13 when the case filed by the Matatu Owners will be mentioned.
“The court issues an order to the effect that the current status quo in this matter shall be maintained up to December 13 when the matter comes for directions,” the order reads.
In the case, North Rift Luxury Shuttle, Madaraka Prestige, Transline, Great Rift Shuttle, Legacy Luxury, Kina 2015 Classic, Sasaline Classic Shuttle, Blue line, Team Swat and Transliner Galaxy moved to court challenging Sakaja's directive.
Through Lawyer Wycliffe Omayio, they claim that on November 18 Sakaja informed them that they will move from their current locations to the new terminus beginning December 1.
Omayio said the decision was discriminatory and it was arrived at while excluding his clients' arch-rivals, especially now when the festive season is at its peak for the matatu industry.
“This will expose the said matatu saccos to huge losses, besides astronomically inconveniencing long-distance travellers who predominantly travel with fairly large luggage” reads court documents
They allege that the county government has made a directive and published a public notice directing the matatus to move to Green Park on Thursday.
“The relocation of picking and dropping points of the matatus who are offering services between Nyanza, Western, North Rift, South Rift, Central Rift currently operating from the CBD to the Green Park terminal at Uhuru Park effective December 1,” the notice reads.
