A transport crisis is looming in Nairobi after Governor Johnson Sakaja ordered a crackdown on unauthorized vehicles operating in the city's Central District (CBD).
The county boss said the directive which takes effect immediately affects vehicles operating illegally in the CBD including Voxy, Noah, Sientas and TukTuks.
Speaking during a deliberations meeting with Public Service Operators, Sakaja said the move is aimed at restoring sanity in the city.
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“I don’t want to see those small vehicles operating as PSVs in the CBD they should be removed immediately. If we allow this to continue with this it will lead to anarchy,” Governor Sakaja stated.
In recent years, private taxis have increased in number in the CBD with some even ferrying passengers to upcountry areas including Kisumu, Eldoret, Kisii and Kakamega among others.
The move had caused jitter among PSV operators who lamented over the unfair practice as they claim that most of those vehicles don’t pay dues to the county.
Sakaja warns operators
The governor emphasized the need to operate within the law, saying no one will be allowed to operate with impunity.
He further asked the operators to self-regulate and instil discipline within their sector.
At the same time, Sakaja revoked the impounding of PSVs and motorcycles in the city, in a move aimed at allowing the sector to self-regulate.
The county supremo said that impounding the vehicles has been of no consequence since even impounding charges never reach the county revenue accounts.
Impounding charges for PSVs in the city range from Ksh10,000 while breakdown charges are Ksh7,500.
The governor instead invited the PSV sector to work with his administration in enhancing compliance, so as to order sanity in the Capital.
“From today impounding of vehicles has been revoked, but you have to promise me that you will instil discipline in the sector,” Sakaja said.
The governor said that currently there are 450 registered Saccos in the city and about 21,000 vehicles.
He, however, noted that only half of those vehicles are compliant, hence leading to a loss of county revenue.
He asked those who are yet to comply to do so before they are kicked out of the CBD.
“Between 10,000 to 11,000 vehicles are non-compliant. This is a new administration and we must follow the law,” he said.
