Matatu operators in Murang’a want inspection of their vehicles to be done at sub county level so as to hasten the exercise.
The matatu crew who brought their vehicles at Ihura Stadium in Murang’a town on Monday said that the inspection to ascertain if their vehicles have attained required health standards should be done by several teams.
They claimed currently its only one point of inspection with only three medical officers, thus making the process slow.
Led by their Chairman, Francis Manyeki, drivers and owners of matatu said they have wasted the whole day since compliance certificates were not signed by officers from the Interior ministry.
Manyeki observed that most of their vehicles were found to have complied with the given regulations aimed to contain spread of covid-19, but they cannot be allowed to operate until the certificates were signed by the local county commissioner.
“Public health officers have found that the majority of our vehicles have met given health protocols but we will have to wait for the signature of the county commissioner,” added the Chairman.
In Murang’a, there are more than 30 matatau saccos and with the inspection being done from one point, the process may take more than five days.
“We request the government to hasten the process so we may go back to business. We had incurred a lot of losses when the government imposed movement cessation to and from Nairobi metropolis and now that we have been allowed to operate, we want to do business to recover from the losses we incurred,” remarked Manyeki.
He continued “with many vehicles in this county which need to be inspected, we request the exercise to be done at sub county level to hasten the process.”
Speaking at the same time, the Chairman of Murang’a Shuttle Sacco, Martin Wairimu said after the government lifted cessation of movement to and from Nairobi metropolis, many matatu saccos in Murang’a have gone back to business.
“We have started to make some income after the lockdown and we promise to comply with given health regulations so that our vehicles will not be venues for the spread of covid-19.” observed Wairimu.
The ministry of health had directed all public service vehicles to undergo inspection, so as to ensure they have complied with covid-19 protocols before they are allowed to go back to business.
By Bernard Munyao
