Nairobi Governor has remained adamant to let Matatus into Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) saying that the ban is helping commuters exercise and stay fit by walking few metres.
Sonko claimed that Nairobians don’t go to gym, playing down concerns that commuting between one terminus to their other was a big menace.
“From Muthurwa to the CBD is a one minute walk. Many people don’t go to the gym. We want our people to exercise,” said Sonko.
While appearing before Senate County Public Investment Committee over issues raised by Auditor General in the audit for 2014/15 Financial Year, Sonko also added that he had spoken to President Kenyatta and plans were underway to provide help for physically challenged.
“I know people are suffering, I am just requesting for patience from commuters we are going to work on an amicable and permanent solution. In the morning, I spoke to the president we are looking for the big buses from NYS to transport the physically challenged from their stages to the CBD,” said Sonko.
Sonko remained clear that the ban on matatus, boda bodas and hawkers from the city will stay until city sanity was restored.
He also Nairobi Senator Johson Sakaja’s claims that he had not conducted public participation before driving out the PSVs.
“I was expecting my brother Sakaja to campaign kidogo because every senator wants to be a governor,” said Sonko.
“The move by Governor Mike Sonko to ban matatus from the CBD is premature, and unfair to ordinary citizens. You don’t ban matatus before providing alternatives for commuters,” said Sakaja.
The court has not lifted the ban and directed the Matatus to respect the law as it awaits next hearing on 6th December 2018.
Photos and videos
6:19 Heavy traffic on University Way @KenyanTraffic pic.twitter.com/S7djWhnu9C
Via @SafariNjemaKE
— KenyanTraffic (@KenyanTraffic) December 3, 2018
#MatatuCBDBan
This is so unfair. We set policies without a plan. This is the situation at the railway bridge going into town pic.twitter.com/EKuVgCcBIi
— Benson Samia (@SamiaBen05) December 3, 2018
The masses walk on dangerous roads without safe infrastructure as the privileged drive in air conditioned vehicles listening to music of their choice. The reality of the City we live in: #MatatuCBDBan @Naipolitans pic.twitter.com/aLyK9dMTmf
— Constant Cap (@ConstantCap) December 3, 2018
#MatatuCBDBan
Nairobians from ngara to Nairobi CBD ,this is the most painful photo of the day!! Sonko cc pic.twitter.com/VIRVOC6SqL
— ©a®o (@favored_one7) December 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/iamlegitdaily/status/1069623346286002178
The #MatatuCBDBan is an insult to the disabled on #WorldDisabilityDay.
With proper planning, the county would have had dedicated transport for persons with disabilities to conveniently reach the CBD. pic.twitter.com/KB9xRmd52v
— Kiigen K. Koech (@KiigenKoech) December 3, 2018