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County to provide conducive working environment for Matatu operators

The County Government will collaborate with key stakeholders in the matatu sector to keep the industry upbeat without exposing passengers and employees to dangers of contracting COVID-19.

This was announced by County minister for Trade, Tourism and Cooperative CECM
Raymond Komen after a meeting with the Central Rift Matatu Operators officials led by Mr. Stephen Muli.

The team deliberated on how to normalize operations, increase passenger safety, reduce conflicts while safeguarding the interests of investors in the public transport sector.

Komen assured the operators of Governor Lee Kinyanjui’s goodwill and support towards helping them to work in a conducive environment especially during this time of the pandemic.

He said the Enterprise Fund Bill that was recently signed by Governor Lee Kinyanjui into law will allow the county to work with the sector.

Mr. Komen therefore, promised that going forward, his department will keep engaging key stakeholders in the sector in dialogue to address the pitfalls bedeviling the sector.

The Central Rift Matatu Operators has a membership of 84 SACCOs and companies with 4500 fleets of vehicles.

He also said discussions on how to foster transport policies, networks, and an overall framework that will integrate the sector into a larger public transit system will continue.

“As a department, we will push for infrastructure such as bus parks, bus terminus, bus stages. We will use this chance created by COVID 19 pandemic to address the challenges facing both the matatu operators and the passengers,” he said

County Commissioner for Cooperatives Naftali Omari echoed Komen’s sentiments that the Cooperative Fund Act and the Enterprise Fund Act will enable them to get affordable loans for their SMEs and cooperatives.

Mr. Omari urged the operators to observe all provided preventive measures to help in the fight against the spread of COVID 19 pandemic.

On his side, Mr. Muli thanked the Governor for continued support and coming up with ways to bring back the industry that contributes to building the country’s economy.

Mr. Peter Wambugu, David Karanja, David Kimani, and Daniel Onyango, the Ag. Director of Terminal Bus Park and Trade Ag Director Ms. Dorcas Njeri was also present.