Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has blasted Senator Johnson Sakaja saying that he (Sakaja) is just campaigning because he wants to be governor.
“I was expecting my brother Sakaja to campaign kidogo because every senator wants to be a governor,” said Sonko.
On Monday morning, Sakaja said he would move to court to seek orders suspending the ban of matatus from the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
The senator accused the Nairobi County Government had enforced the ban without conducting public participation and without providing convenient alternatives, thereby leaving commuters stranded.
“The move by Governor Mike Sonko to ban matatus from the CBD is premature, and unfair to ordinary citizens. You don’t ban matatus before providing alternatives for commuters,” said Sakaja.
Sonko has farther reiterated that the ban will help commuters in the city to exercise and remain physically fit. Speaking on Monday morning as the ban came into effect, the Governor played down concerns that commuting between one terminus and other was a tall order, saying that most city residents “don’t go to the gym.”
“From Muthurwa to the CBD is a one minute walk. Many people don’t go to the gym. We want our people to exercise,” said Sonko.
The governor was questioned briefly on the matatu ban from the CBD while appearing before the Senate County Public Investment Committee over issues raised by Auditor General in the audit for 2014/15 Financial Year.
The Senate committee said the matatu issue would be discussed in detail on Wednesday this week. Sonko further said he had spoken with President Uhuru Kenyatta and plans were underway to avail buses that will save the physically challenged commuters the pain of moving from one terminus to another.
“I know people are suffering, I am just requesting for patience from commuters we are going to work on an amicable and permanent solution. In the morning, I spoke to the president we are looking for the big buses from NYS to transport the physically challenged from their stages to the CBD,” said Sonko.
Sonko maintained that enforcement of the ban on matatus, boda bodas and hawkers from the city centre will continue in a bid to restore sanity in the capital.