Matatu, boda-boda operators pledge to support relocation plans


Passengers scramble to board a matatu at Khoja bus stop in Nairobi's city centre.

Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Operators laud government for engaging them in the relocation process.
  • NMS has embarked on a strategy to decongest Nairobi’s CBD by relocating matatus from the city centre.

Matatu and boda-boda operators in Nairobi have resolved to support the relocation of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) from Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD).

The operators, under their umbrella Union, Matatu and Boda-Boda Operators Federation, said they will work together with Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) in the proposed plan. 

The new federation's national chairperson, Kushian Muchiri, said they have agreed with NMS Director General Mohammed Badi to move out of the city centre once the termini being constructed are complete. 

Mr Muchiri said that they have also agreed that boda-boda operators will be allocated stages to act as last mile connectors. 

“Mr Badi has incorporated us in the plan and assured us that no one will be forcefully removed, and that we will be given time to organise ourselves as saccos. So for the first time there will be no confrontations,” said Mr Muchiri.

National chair of Boda-Boda Association of Kenya (UBAK), Kenneth Onyango, said they have agreed to work together with NMS.

“We are ready to work with NMS since they have involved us in their plans,” said Mr Onyango.

The federation’s national coordinator, Samson Wainaina, lauded the national government for finally recognising boda-boda and matatu operators and engaging them in the relocation process.

Decongest city centre 

“We pledge to work together with the government to streamline the industry and remove cartels who have invaded it,” he said.

NMS, in September, embarked on a strategy to decongest Nairobi’s CBD by setting in motion plans to relocate matatus from the city centre.

The plan, which is set to kick-off before the end of the year, will see matatus plying Ngong and Lang’ata Roads terminate their journey at the Green Park Bus terminus, popularly known as Railways Club.

Long distance PSVs from Mt Kenya and those from the Thika Superhighway will drop and pick passengers at Desai and Park Road termini in Ngara. Matatus belonging to these saccos have been terminating at Tea room along Accra Road.

On the other hand, Muthurwa terminus is expected to remain as it serves PSVs from Jogoo and Lusaka roads.
PSVs from Mombasa Road will terminate at another new terminus at the junction of Bunyala and Workshop Road while matatus using the Waiyaki Way, Uhuru Highway, Kipande and Limuru roads will end their journey at the Fig Tree terminus in Ngara.