VIDEO: Commuters Left Stranded as Mombasa Matatu Drivers Strikes
Commuters were left stranded in the Sabasaba area in Mombasa on Wednesday 2nd as Touts and Matatu drivers took to the streets to protest against the new road directions by the county government of Mombasa.
Christine Juma According to the viral video seen by Bright Kenya news, the drivers can be heard complaining that they are facing a lot of challenges due to the influence of the tough economy. In addition, they were never given any notice of the new road directions.
"we've not been given any notice we just woke up today and found the road closed we have school fees bills to pay, we have to pay for Uber fees at the end of the day".Lamented one angry Driver.
The drivers strike comes barely a day after the Mombasa government introduced new traffic rules that will see most of the major roads turned into one way. The new rules aimed at easing traffic and reducing travel times for motorists.
The new routes were to take immediate effect from Wednesday 2nd at 5 am.
In addition, in the new rules, trucks drivers were also to be barred from using the Central Business District {CBD} except between 8 pm and 5 am daily.
“We are converting all our streets into one-way systems. That means, as you come from the Nyali bridge, all vehicles are required to turn left onto Sheikh Abdalla Farsy Road,” Mombasa transport executive Taufiq Balala said in his office on Tuesday.
In a new road map route presented by Mombasa transport executive Taufiq Balala on Tuesday 1st, it meant that no vehicles will be able to join the route leading to Saba Saba through Buxton from Nyali Bridge.
A new traffic routes in Mombasa.PHOTO FILE
Those heading to Saba Saba must round Sheikh Abdalla Farsy Road before exiting at Kisauni Road (at Coast General Hospital junction).
They will then travel to the Lebanon roundabout, where they will connect to Jomo Kenyatta Avenue, which would lead them to Saba Saba.
Balala also stated that vehicles who find themselves in the incorrect lane will be obliged to take particular openings or exits.
“We have created a long train system whereby the head of the train will be Kengeleni and there will be junctions. Cars will not meet,” Balala said.
The new system is also part of the county's preparedness for the introduction of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
“We have also gazetted another notice requiring trucks, over 10 tonnes, to only operate at night,” Balala said.
However, Matatu owners and operators argued that they were not involved in the development of the new routes.
Speaking on Tuesday Matatu Owners Association Coast coordinator Salim Mbarak the new move the Mombasa county government won't have solved the issues of traffic in the area but rather worsen it.
“We just heard like other people. I see a situation where this new system is bound to fail,” Mbarak said.
