Matatu operators in Mavoko Sub-County have been urged to embrace technology.
Addressing this writer in his office in Athi River Town on Tuesday, the sub-county administrator Onesmus Ituo said the operators should not reject the newly introduced M-Pesa system of remitting their taxes to the Machakos County government.
"Those in the transport industry within Mavoko Sub-County should not reject technology. It is high time they accepted change as this is a digital era," said Ituo.
This comes after a section of matatu operators and owners in the area raised concerns over the introduction of the M-Pesa revenue remittal system, with some terming it as a a scam.
Ituo said the government needs growth by strategy and not distribution, hence the need for it to move to paperless money transactions.
The county administrator said Mavoko Sub-County will soon digitise its operations, adding that apart from the fact that digitisation in the government is intended towards realisation of vision 2030, it also curbs theft of public funds.
He said success of both the sub-county and county government requires residents to change their attitude towards the county in a bid to curb poverty.
However, Wamasaa Travellers and Investments Company Limited Chairman Stephen Mbolonzi they would not embrace the M-Pesa system as it exposes them to extra charges as they will be required to pay transaction charges.
He called upon the county government to allow them to pay the taxes on a monthly basis upon issuance of stickers, as is the norm in other counties.
Ituo on his part said taxing matatu operators through the M-Pesa system would equally ensure efficiency in operations in terms of time and accuracy in the amount of money charged, alongside taming corruption.