City Hall issues new directive on matatu cleanliness, hooting and loud music
Nairobi City County government has issued new guidelines to matatu owners and operators in the Central Business District (CBD) in a move to ensure proper cleaning.
In a notice issued by Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria, City Hall has ordered that matatus shall be required to vacate the stages at night to allow smooth cleaning of the areas.
“The county has observed that many matatu stages remain occupied during the night hindering cleaning activities. You are hereby directed to support the government’s environmental initiatives by ensuring all vehicles vacate the stage during the official cleaning hours at night to allow environment staff to conduct thorough cleaning,” Mosiria stated.
The Chief Officer also directed that matatu owners to subscribe to licensed waste service providers to manage waste generated from their operationss.
He said that some matatus are not properly maintained in a clean state with some being abandoned in open spaces and their waste not being managed properly leading to environmental degradation.
Further, Mosiria called for all matatus to stop unnecessary hooting and loud music which causes a nuisance in the CBD.
“Stop unnecessary hooting and loud music causing a nuisance in the city and ensure all abandoned vehicles are removed in the CBD with immediate effect,” he said.
Mosiria said those who will not adhere to the new directives will be charged according to the city’s laws.
At the same time, to allow an easy time for the CBD cleaners, the Chief Officer has directed that hawkers leave their wares in lanes, streets, and walking paths obstructing cleaning activities, Mosiria asked the hawkers to remove their wares by 10 pm.
He said failure to comply with that would lead to the wares being collected and disposed of without notice.
The order comes barely a week after the hawkers were told to vacate the main streets and operate from the backstreets during the day from Monday to Saturday.
