Matatu operators set to commence nationwide strike on Tuesday

The Association of Matatu Operators has threatened to commence a nationwide strike on Tuesday. 

The withdrawal of their services is bound to adversely affect Kenyan commuters. 

According to the association's Chairperson Jamal Ibrahim, the nationwide strike will be a move to protest the limits placed on the capacity of public service vehicles (PSVs) due to the measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. 

Ibrahim blamed the government for neglecting the matatu industry, given the strict passenger limit restrictions. 

He said, “On Tuesday, across the country, all matatus must go on strike. I would like to tell our leaders, Hon Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta, they have neglected our matatu industry,” he said.

The AMO Chairperson was not pleased that the government has not considered the matatu industry like the other industries in the opening up of the economy. 

 “When they visit places, they always talk about boda boda, they talk about bars and churches but they have forgotten the Matatu Industry. The reason we are striking on Tuesday is because of capacity. Since Covid-19 hit eight months ago, they have not addressed the matatu industry urging for the resumption of full capacity," Ibrahim added. 

He even cited the resumption of political rallies to emphasize how the matatu industry has been forgotten. 

“Earlier, all local flights resumed normal seat capacity, churches have resumed operation, political rallies are back to normal as well as schools. So why have we been forgotten?” Ibrahim lamented.

He also stated that the letters that the industry has written regarding the matter have been futile as the relevant authority has not responded. 

Since March thid year, part of the measures by the government to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic was that matatus and buses carry a maximum of about half of the vehicles capacity. 

14-seater matatus were directed to carry a maximum of eight passengers, 25-seaters to carry 15 and buses with a sitting capacity of 30 and above to occupy 60 per cent of the capacity. 

Matatu were urged to sensitized commuters on the importance of social distancing as they sanitized them before boarding. 

However, most PSVs have defied the orders by the government on Covid-19 measures including the disinfection of seats and now they want the limits lifted officially.