Sonko's Matatu Ban
Back in 2017, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, a man who once hustled in the world of matatus before stepping into the political spotlight, decided to stir things up in the CBD—imagine banning the very lifeblood of Nairobi’s streets! Sonko’s plan was as daring as it was dramatic: give the city center a makeover by kicking out all the matatus, those buzzing minivans that have become as iconic to Nairobi as your morning chai.
The proposal was simple yet revolutionary—at least in theory. Sonko initially handed the matatu operators a one-month ultimatum to get their act together. When that deadline came and went, he pulled the plug on any journeys beyond the city center, replacing those beloved rides with National Youth Service (NYS) buses designed to ferry passengers right into the heart of the city.
But, like a misfired engine on a busy Nairobi road, the plan sputtered almost immediately. Just 14 hours after the order hit the streets, Sonko had to slam on the brakes. The reasons were as mixed as a matatu radio station—lack of proper measures, a desperate need for more consultation, and an uproar from Nairobians who weren’t having it. Public outcry was swift and biting, especially from those worried about the most vulnerable being left stranded. Images of heavily pregnant women trekking from Ngara to Kenyatta National Hospital painted a picture that no one wanted to see.
In the end, Sonko was forced to ease off the accelerator. He gave the matatu operators a three-month reprieve to reorganize their operations—allowing three matatus per Sacco to continue servicing the city—and eventually handed over some of the transport duties to the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
So, while Sonko’s grand vision of a matatu-free CBD hit a rough patch, it’s just another chapter in the ever-evolving, sometimes chaotic, but always colorful story of Nairobi’s urban transport saga. Now, if only all our bold ideas could navigate the twists and turns of city life quite as dramatically!
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