Transport CS issues urgent order following matatu strike

Transport CS James Macharia has issued an order requiring Kenya Railways to cut down commuter train fares by ten percent to caution Kenyans form the matatu strike that started this morning.

Macharia also directed Kenya Railways to increase the number of routes where it operates and further ensure that the trains increase frequency in the areas where they operate.

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“To ensure the public will be able to continue with day to day activities in Nation Building, Kenya Railways is hereby directed to increase the number of and frequency of commuter trains on all routes and also reduce the fare by 10 percent until normal public transport resumes,” the Transport CS’s directive read in part.

Kenya Railways has since released a new train schedule that will see the commuter trains increase its frequency and routes in Nairobi.

The train will serve residents in Kikuyu, Syokimau, Kahawa, Ruiru, and Embakasi village.

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Thousands of commuters in Nairobi and in various parts of the country were on Monday morning stranded after Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) called a national wide strike to protest the introduction of the famous Michuki rules.

Macharia has also said that the government would move to punish saccos that have withdrawn their vehicles from the roads.

He added that similar action would be taken against matatus that have hiked fares during the crisis period.