Tensions have emerged between Nangkis and Wakimali matatu operators over the operation of public service vehicles between Kikuyu and Ngong, with accusations of intimidation and interference in the two stages.
The dispute came to the fore after Nangkis operators alleged that some of their vehicles were being prevented from operating from Kikuyu, allegedly because they do not vote in the area.
Nangkis operators further claimed that drunk goons allegedly mobilised by Wakimali stage management at Kikuyu bus park had harassed some of their vehicles and manhandled conductors.
One Nangkis operator questioned why their vehicles were allegedly being prevented from carrying passengers from Kikuyu bus park while Wakimali vehicles are allowed to operate in Ngong.
“Why is Wakimali preventing us from operating from Kikuyu yet we allow them to operate in Ngong? We want peace. Wakimali watupende na sisi tuwapende,” said one operator.
Mr Simon Gakure, another Nangkis operator, said he had been told to drop passengers in Kikuyu and leave rather than pick up passengers from the stage.
“I went to Kikuyu and was told I should just drop passengers and leave. I pay revenue in Kikuyu and and therefore I should operate there freely without any kind of intimidation. This issue should be dealt with once and for all,” he said.
The disagreement has raised concerns that the dispute could escalate into a reciprocal restriction, with Nangkis operators suggesting that if they are prevented from carrying passengers from Kikuyu, they could similarly restrict Wakimali vehicles from carrying passengers in Ngong.
However, Maina who is a member of Wakimali Sacco, speaking during discussions on the matter, urged operators to use the proper legal channels to resolve the dispute. He said anyone preventing a matatu from carrying passengers should report the matter to the relevant county government authorities, while cases of assault should be reported to the police.
Maina also questioned why the meeting to address the dispute was being held in Ngong instead of Kikuyu, where some of the alleged incidents had occurred.
The Kikuyu Bus Park Vice Chair, Mr Wainaina, said there should be no intimidation of operators at the Kikuyu stage. He explained that Kikuyu has approximately 45 matatu SACCOs and said the Nangkis SACCO has two slots at the stage. One for carrying passengers and another for dropping them off.
Wainaina added that a new bus park is expected to open and become operational next month, which he said would help address some of the challenges currently facing operators.
“In Kikuyu, no one should intimidate anyone. Anyone intimidating anyone in Kikuyu should be held accountable,” Wainaina said.
The Nangkis team, however, accused Mr Wainaina of doing nothing when the alleged intimidation by goons was taking place in his presence. The Wakimali team has since given an assurance that Nangkis matatus will not be intimidated while operating in Kikuyu.
Kajiado North Sub-County Administrator Samuel Muchiri said that in case the dispute is not resolved, he will reach out to his Kikuyu Sub County counterpart in order to permanently resolve the matter.
The operators were also urged to discourage individuals involved in intimidation from continuing with such actions and to seek intervention from the relevant authorities whenever disputes arise.
With both sides relying on the same transport network between Kikuyu and Ngong, operators have called for dialogue and a lasting agreement to prevent further confrontation and disruption of public transport services.
The opening of the new Kikuyu bus park is also expected to provide additional space and a more structured system for managing the various SACCOs operating in the area.
