Nairobi commuters walk to town as Matatu operators strike

5 Mar 2014

Nairobi commuters were Wednesday morning forced to walk to town, after matatu operators blocked Thika road near Pangani footbridge with stones to protest increased parking fees.

The operators also abandoned their vehicles at Donholm forcing commuter using Jogoo Road to walk to towm.

However, by 7:20am, business was as usual along Ngong road, Langata road and Mombasa road.Operators along Langata road, are said to have hiked fare and are now charging passengers Sh150.

The Nairobi Traffic boss says police are working to re-open Jogoo, Thika and Donholm roads after matatu operators blocked them early in the morning.

On Enterprise road, matatus found operating have been attacked and the crew and even some of the passengers robbed.

The operators had earlier warned they would go on strike over what they claimed to be betrayal by the Nairobi Dr Evans Kidero.

According to the Nairobi Metropolitan Union (NMU) the county government had agreed to tentatively lower parking fees for them from this month. In the deal the union says it struck with Nairobi governor, 14-seater matatu owners were to pay Sh3,650 down from Sh5,000 while 41-seater matatus would part with Sh5,500 down from Sh8,000. Matatus with a capacity of 41 passengers would pay Sh7,250.

Daily Nation

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