Matatu owners issue strike threat over fee

By MAUREEN ABWAO

Officials representing 103 matatu saccos in Nairobi yesterday threatened to call for a countrywide strike over increased parking fee imposed by the Nairobi County Government.

They termed the move to hike the charges from Sh3,000 to Sh12,000 per month for 14-seater matatus extortionist means by the county government to put them out of business since matatus do not park for long hours.

The officials, consisting of a nine-member committee, sought to be enjoined in a case already filed in court by 26 matatu saccos, four of which were from Nairobi and the remaining 22 from the Mount Kenya region.

The committee that represents the nine sub-counties in Nairobi County stated it would challenge the case in court again as it was not executively consulted over the matter.

“We would like to be enjoined in the court case that had already been filed by the 26 matatu saccos, since we were not consulted over the matter as the court had previously been convinced,” said Peter Kiige, Nairobi Metropolitan Union chairman.

The officials have threatened a nationwide matatu strike if the fees are not reviewed.