President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive that the 14 seater matatus will not be phased out has been applauded by Solai matatu operators.
Showing their happiness at Mashambani stage in Nakuru town, the drivers and conductors who followed the president’s speech on radio, said the remarks were not only good but also would still give rise to artistic youths, create more employment for the youths and also help curb crimes as matatu business is a form of employment.
James Nderitu Wachira, the route driver and chairman of Solai Sacco, said it was unfair for the matatu to be kept away from the roads.
“We are so happy with our president who is a reasoning president unlike some people who want to snub the small matatus," he added.
President Kenyatta said he saw no reason to continue to prohibiting the colorful artwork that once made public service vehicles icons of Kenyan creativity or bar 14 seater matatus from operating.
“After wide consultation and research involving my government and stakeholders, it has become clear that a blanket ban on 14-seater PSVs, especially for long distance and rural transport, may not be appropriate at this time," Kenyatta said.
He urged industry players to use the new cashless payment systems to provide better services and improve the lives of both their employees and their passengers.
Matatu associations and savings and credit cooperatives have been pushing for the lifting of a freeze on new registration of 14-seaters, which the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) began to enforce in December last year. They were also opposed to plans to force 14-seater matatus already registered as PSVs out of cities and towns.
The ban was proposed as a traffic decongestion measure following the failure of several unpopular attempts to bar low-capacity matatus from entering the Nairobi Central Business District.