- The PSVs are however expected to follow stringent measures by the county government to maintain order.
- Kihika said this is a promise that she made to the matatu industry during the campaigns and she intends to keep it
Image: JAMES MUNYUA
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has allowed Public Service Vehicles back into the Central Business District after a two years ban.
The access will be granted before Christmas day for 18 months when the construction of the modern matatu park will have been completed.
The PSVs are however expected to follow stringent measures by the county government to maintain order.
Speaking during a public participation forum with sacco representatives, Kihika said this is a promise that she made to the matatu industry during the campaigns and she intends to keep it.
"I campaigned on the platform of uplifting hustlers' businesses, the ban had affected businesses because Nakuru is a transport and business hub," Kihika said.
"Why should you allow passenger vehicles carrying one passenger into the CBD but ban a matatu with 15 passengers, does it make sense?"
The governor however gave procedures to be followed to maintain law and order.
Among the orders given will be the lapse of access to the CBD in 18 months once the construction of the modern matatu park is completed.
The Sh269 million modern bus park will consist of sacco offices, passenger sheds, power and gatehouses, public toilets, a fire fighting system, parking, walkways, and mast lights among other amenities.
"I have allowed the matatus back to the CBD because I promised to do so but this will be temporary as we complete the construction of a modern bus park. When the park is completed, we will allocate spaces," she said.
The governor said failure to comply with laid out regulations will amount to the withdrawal of the allocated spaces and subsequently giving it to another sacco.
Some of the regulations include tenancy revocation for the entire sacco if any of their vehicles picks up or drops passengers in areas that are not designated.
PSVs are only expected to operate in the designated terminus which will be planned to factor in other businesses such as stores, toilets and other amenities.
Kihika said toilets will be managed by an umbrella of the Saccos with the supervision of the county government.
The county government enforcement officer will also work with the police traffic department to enhance smooth traffic flow in and out of the city.
"All NTSA laws, rules and regulations shall apply at all times and shall be complied with and the county government laws shall be complied with, failure to which allocation will be withdrawn without notice," she said.
The governor urged the matatus operators to have holding areas outside the city to self-regulate and to talk to her and other officials in case of any arising issues.
Matatus were banned in April 2020 from accessing the CBD by former Governor Lee Kinyanjui after the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The measure was aimed at decongesting the city and curbing the spread of the virus.
The ban however elicited mixed reactions with matatu saccos faulting the move saying they were not consulted.
The business people also decried the collapse of their businesses which depended mainly on the presence of the PSV in the CBD.
This formed the basis of campaign messaging with then-Senator Susan Kihika.
Kihika promised to return the PSVs to the CBD once she was elected as governor.