Transport in Kangema town was on Tuesday paralyzed after four Matatu Saccos opposed the entry of a rival transporter.
The four Saccos which have been dominant in the sub county have claimed that entrance of Namu Shuttle Sacco to ply Kangema roads did not follow due procedure.
Officials of Kangema Transporters, Muigana, Mathioya and Kamuna Saccos have vowed not to resume to normal business until the rival Sacco is barred from operating in the sub county.
Led by their Chairman, Bidan Kihara, the operators accuse Namu Shuttle for starting operations in Kangema without adhering to all requirements and also for not using the designated matatu terminus.
Kihara said already the four Saccos have more than 200 vehicles and that most of them do not operate due to few travelers.
He accused government officials who have allowed the new Sacco to start operating in the area, saying there was no public participation and the new Sacco in the area does not meet needed requirements.
“I wonder what procedure was followed when the new Sacco started operating in Kangema. The Sacco has no parking bay and now they have opted to ferry people at Gakira area thus objecting our customers from reaching the main terminus,” added another official, Micheal Gicheru.
The matatu operators decried that new Sacco is operating with impunity as they do not want to engage in discussion to solve the stalemate.
“We want the relevant government agencies to solve this matter. The rivalry may lead to more conflicts if it is not well handled,” added Gicheru.
He continued “we suspect there are some leaders who are behind this sacco since drivers of the matatus are acting with impunity and they don’t want to engage in any discussion.”
The Murang’a County Member of Transport and Infrastructure, Amos Njoroge said they will have a sitting with officials from the saccos and come up with a solution.
Njoroge who later spoke to KNA said Namu Shuttle has a right to operate in any part of the county provided it has fulfilled the requirements.
“We will have a meeting and try to solve the stalemate. All saccos will be represented in the meeting,” said Njoroge.
This is not first time rivalry among matatus in Kangema has been witnessed. In 2016, the four saccos sued Muna Sacco for operating in the sub county.
By Bernard Munyao
