Transport services could be paralyzed starting today (Thursday) as matatu operators in Nairobi are headed for a showdown with City Hall over seasonal parking charges.
This comes after Matatu Association of Kenya threatened to down tools starting Today following flopped consultations with City Hall over the proposed increased seasonal parking fees.
According to City Hall, 13-seater matatus are supposed to pay Sh5,000 per month, Sh14 000 for three months, Sh26,000 for six months and Sh52,000 for a whole year.
But the matatu operators are opposed to the new charges.
The association's national coordinator, Mr. Albert Karakacha told the Daily Nation that the talks of engagement with officials at City Hall bore no fruits as the two parties failed to agree.
He stated that the county government refused to lower the parking fees and revert it to what it initially was, saying that the matter did not come to a close.
However, Nairobi County Director of Parking Services Tom Tinega has maintained that they will continue levying the new charges as is spelled on the Nairobi County Finance Act, 2019 and that they will not be entering into any agreement with the matatu operators on any issue that is not supported by the law.