Transport paralysed in Machakos as operators protest

Transport to and from Machakos was on Wednesday paralyzed after Matatu Owners Association withdrew their vehicles from the roads.

The association chairman Onesmus Kyalo said they arrived at the decision after due to the invasion of their routes by matatus from Nairobi and Kiambu counties.

"We are protesting a move by the county government to allow matatus which are supposed to operate in Nairobi routes to ply routes in Machakos," Mr. Kyalo said.

Mr. Kyalo accused the county government of Machakos of granting the operators from Nairobi and Kiambu a letter of no objection thus paving way for the clearance of the said operators by the National Transport and Safety Authority( NTSA) to operate in the county.

" The problem emanates from within the county government which has given the matatus letter on no objection without consulting the relevant stakeholders.This is how NTSA allowed the matatus to ply routes in Machakos county." He added.

Close to 300 Public Service Vehicles (PSV) participated in the strike that affected travellers from Kajiado, Kitui, Makueni and Nairobi counties.