Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has suspended the ban on matatus from entering the CBD with immediate effect.
“I have noted with deep concern the plight of city residents as a result of the ban, and hereby announce that the full implementation of this directive has been suspended with immediate effect,” Sonko said in a statement on Tuesday.
He said this will give room for more consultation with the affected parties in order to find a permanent solution.
Sonko said the ban was part of measures to decongest the city centre, and followed months of planning as well as public and stakeholder participation.
“Although the directive is well-intentioned, many innocent commuters, including senior citizens and those with health challenges requiring emergency medical attention, expectant mothers and children travelling with their parents, all suffered untold inconvenience, and this is regrettable,” Sonko said.
On Monday, thousands of commuters walked for long distances to their workplaces after the county government effected the gazette notice banning matatus from the CBD.
Some walked for as long as five kilometres.
