Commuters at a bus stage. [Photo: businessdailyafrica.com]
Long distance Matatu operators from the North Rift region have accused Matatu Welfare Association and the Matatu Owners association for failing to represent their interests in the transport sector.The operators now say they are seeking to form their own welfare association.
Speaking in Eldoret on Thursday, the long distance Matatu operators led by Moses Mburu, a manager at Eldoret Premium Shuttles, said existing matatu associations were only serving the interests of town service operators.
"We as long distance matatus feel not represented in the Matatu Welfare Association and the Matatu Owners association hence the need to have our own association," Mburu noted.
"Those associations are for town service vehicles most of which operate in Nairobi CBD meaning our interests are always left out on most occasions," he added.
The long-distance operators further said they will no longer be part of decisions and agreements reached between the ministry of transport and the current associations.
Matatu Owners Association (MOA) chaired by Simon Kimutai and Matatu Welfare Association which is headed by Dickson Mbugua have been actively involved in issues do to with matatu operations in the country.