Sakaja Orders These Vehicles Out Of Nairobi CBD

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has thrown out unauthorised vehicles operating in the Central Business District (CBD) in a new crackdown.

Speaking during a deliberations meeting with Public Service Operators on Friday, November 18, Sakaja stated that the crackdown which commenced immediately targeted vehicles operating illegally in the city.

They include Voxy, Noah and Sientas under Toyota and TukTuks.

“I don’t want to see those small vehicles operating as PSVs in the CBD they should be removed immediately. If we allow this to continue with this it will lead to anarchy,” Governor Sakaja stated.

Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja addresses the media on November 4, 2022. /TWITTER.KENYA JUDICIARY

He added that the operation has been stretched to the Upper Hill area and other city areas where unlicensed motorists act as Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).

In recent years, private taxis have increased in number in the CBD with some even ferrying passengers to upcountry areas including Kisumu, Eldoret, Kisii and Kakamega among others. The move had caused jitter among PSV operators who lamented over the unfair practice as they claim that most of those vehicles don’t pay dues to the county.

In addition, the first-time county boss scrapped the impounding of vehicles in the CBD adding that the city will set up by-laws that target motorists flouting traffic rules. He also tasked the PSVs to self-regulate.

"From today, impounding of vehicles has been revoked, but you have to promise me that you will instil discipline in the sector," the Governor stated.

Impounding charges for PSVs in the city range from Ksh10,000 while breakdown charges are Ksh7,500.

"I am giving you this week to pay and regularize your licenses, failure to do so, you will have to get out of the CBD," he affirmed, arguing that the move would help in restoring sanity in the city.

Sakaja further noted that currently there are 450 registered Saccos in the city and about 21,000 vehicles. However, only half of those vehicles are non-compliant which is disrupting the chain of revenues to the county.

He promised that he will not hesitate to kick out matatus and other PSVs that do not meet the threshold to operate in the CBD.

"Between 10,000 to 11,000 vehicles are non-compliant. This is a new administration and we must follow the law," Sakaja reiterated, adding that some PSV operators had forged licenses to operate in the Nairobi CBD.

During the meeting, Sakaja announced that the Green Park Terminus would be opened on December 1, 2022, and will serve long-distance PSVs in a bid to decongest the Nairobi CBD.

He also directed all Nairobi matatus to provide transport to school-going children for free in a bid to ease access to education for thousands of learners in the City County.