The Kisumu county government has ordered all public transport owners to register their vehicles with Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (Saccos).
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Infrastructure, Energy and Public Work Mr Salmon Orimba said it is a Government policy that all matatus must be registered with Saccos warning that vehicles not affiliated to any Sacco will not be allowed to operate in town.
He was speaking during an inspection tour of the newly constructed Mowlem bus terminus in the outskirts of Kisumu town that was opened on February 16, 2024.
Accompanied by the city manager Abala Wanga, the CECM said that another makeshift bus terminus in town has been outlawed. “We must only have two bus parks in town,” he said.
On his part, Wanga said Mowlem Bus Park is fully operational adding that they have offices for matatu Saccos, toilets and a new police post set to provide round-the-clock security.
“Following a collaborative meeting involving key stakeholders such as the county government, National Police Service and transport sector, we are pleased to unveil the crucial updates regarding the operationalization of the Nyamasaria Bus Park and reorganization of the City Public Transport Mobility System,” he said.
Wanga said that to foster fairness and operational cohesion, buses plying the Kisumu-Nairobi route will be accorded priority in office space allocation within the bus park.
Furthermore, he added that all buses, irrespective of their routes, will be assigned spaces on a first-come-first-served basis.
Wanga stated that to maintain traffic flow and ensure passenger safety, buses and matatus from Nyamasaria Bus Park are restricted beyond the Kachok roundabout.
The designated route includes Nyamasaria Bus Park–Nyamasaria Interchange -Kondele/Polytechnic-Ondiek Highway-Gumbi Road-Bus Park.
The buses and matatus from Kondele will follow the Kondele Patel’s roundabout-Ondiek highway-Gumbi road-Bus park.
Those from Bondo must follow the Paramount-Mamba-Ondiek Highway-Gumbi road- Bus park route.
The city manager outlawed PSVs from operating illegal bus parks in petrol filling stations or by the roadsides.
He said the transport mobility system in the lakeside city was in disarray thus the need for its reorganization.
“Be advised that picking up or dropping off passengers is strictly prohibited at locations, including Kicomi, Kamas, Aga Khan, Kisumu Boys and other areas that are not gazetted bus parks,” he said.
The city manager also ceased all bus operations within the CBD area and directed them to relocate to the Mowlem stage for operations.
Night operations, he said, will be permitted at the main bus park from 10 pm to 6 am after which operations will resume at Nyamasaria Bus Park.
“Furthermore, we emphasize the prohibition of booking offices in petrol stations or any other area not designated as a bus park. Be informed that this notice also affects seven-seater vehicles.”
Wanga has in recent weeks faced criticisms and street protests from transport officials who accused him of making unilateral decisions.
By Fredrick Odiero
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