- Waititu said Sonko’s plan to bar Passenger Serive Vehicles from accessing Nairobi CBD is detrimental to the industry
- He said Sonko’s proposal alongside NTSA’s decision to phase out 14-seater matatus was also a threat to the sector
- The former Kabete MP accused Sonko of making arbitrary orders without consulting stakeholders
- He also asked owners of 14-seater PSVs to ignore government ban on the same being effected by NTSA
Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has launched a scathing attack at his Nairobi counterpart Mike Sonko terming him a threat to the Matatu industry.
Waititu who served as Kabete and Embakasi MP said Sonko was insensitive by attempting to ban Passenger Service Vehicles (PSV) from entering Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting at his office on Wednesday, December 19, Waititu took a swipe at Sonko terming his actions a threat to an industry which was generating a significant amount of tax to the country.
He argued that his Nairobi counterpart had abandoned interests of people and overlooked the important public participation before making decisions.
“I very much criticise plan to ban PSV cars from the CBD. Such decisions are detrimental to the sector and hurt masses who use matatus in their daily activities,” said Waititu.
He went on to tell Sonko Nairobi is a cosmopolitan city which belongs to every Kenyan and he cannot run it by making arbitrary orders.
“Ambieni Sonko Nairobi ni ya kila mtu (Tell Sonko Nairobi is for everyone). I was also voted in Nairobi as an MP. You cannot run such a county by waking up in the morning and issuing arbitrary and insensitive orders,” Waititu added.
The Kiambu county chief further called for the sacking of National Transport and Safety authority Director Francis Meja saying he did not consult stakeholders in plan to abolish 14-seater PSV cars.
“President should kick out Meja for his arrogance and locking out stakeholders in arriving at decision to phase 14-seater matatus from the roads. We have over 10,000 investors in the sector in Kiambu. I differ with the position and order all owners of such vehicles to continue working,” he said.
SOURCE: tuko.co.ke
