Nairobi governor Jonhson Sakaja has dismissed the Nairobians complaining about noisy public service vehicles (PSVs).
According to the county boss, loud music and graffiti in public transport vehicles are part of culture in Nairobi.
Sakaja says drivers are permitted to play their car stereos loudly and asked passengers to choose what suits them.
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"Na hii mambo at graffiti na muziki wanasema ni mbaya, iyo ni ufala ya zamani sana. It is part of the culture. Kama mtu anataka matatu haina mziki angojee aingie yenye haina mziki na kama mtu anataka yenye iko na ngoma aingie yenye iko na ngoma," Sakaja stated.
Loosely translated as"( The complaints about loud music and graffiti on PSVs are outdated. That is part of the culture. If you want a car with no music board a car with no music and vice versa.)"
He said he will introduce an awarding system to the best performing vehicle and Saccos in terms of discipline, income raised and graffiti.
“Graffiti is part of our culture,” Sakaja defends matatu culture and urges matatu operators not to play obscene music pic.twitter.com/nNDu4GHY1x— K24 TV (@K24Tv) November 21, 2022
At the same time, Sakaja urged operators to take caution and observe rules on the road.
Sakaja's statement on PSVs follows his recent announcement that students wearing school uniforms will be transported for free following a meeting with the matatu operators at City Hall.
In a consultative forum that lasted for more than 3 hours, Sakaja pleaded with the operators urging them not to be leaving school-going children at bus stages anytime they come across them.
He said the directive will be implemented by all the matatu Sacco’s that operate within Nairobi in a bid to ease access to education for thousands of learners in the City County.
"One thing I have realized is that most of our children come from very humble backgrounds. They not only lack food but transport is another issue. Kindly be ferrying them to school for free. Some I know go to school because of the free feeding program which I have established", he said.
Sakaja said the agreement will only be implemented for the kids with uniforms.
However, the county boss urged the operators not to misuse the agreement by carrying excess passengers.
" I caution you to be responsible. Do not abuse this directive to carry excess passengers lest you find yourself in trouble with the traffic police. As the county government, we will involve them to ensure that they do not arrest matatus carrying students,” he said.
A spot check by K24 Digital across the capital, most school-going children are usually forced to walk since most of their parents cannot afford the daily bus fare.
Going forward Sakaja said the team will also consider those leaving with a disability to see if they can be accommodated in the agreement.
