Tassia residents decry matatu menace

Residents in Tassia II Estate in Embakasi East Sub-County have asked government agencies to curtail the mushrooming of illegal Public Service Vehicles (PSV) stages or terminuses in their estate. In a letter directed to the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the National Police Service (NPS) through the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the residents said the area around Tassia Central SDA Church, Kwa Ndege and the Kwa Ndege Health Center are among the most affected. “The access roads within our estate are very narrow therefore when the PSV operators arbitrarily establish stages right on these roads, they create chaotic scenes of severe traffic jam, obstructions, noise pollution emanating from the hooting coupled with insecurity as well as unruly behavior from matatu operators,” the letter reads. Additionally, they complained that commotions associated with the public service vehicles have been hindering smooth operations for the schools near the affected areas as well as the Kwa Ndege health center which both require tranquility and peace. “Establishing stages for PSVs arbitrarily is a recipe for chaos, disruption of peace, security and public order and this creates discomfort, unbearable and unacceptable conditions for us Tassia II estate residents,” they added. According to the Kenya Traffic Act and County Government by-laws, before a stage is established and allowed for PSV use, public participation is key and stakeholders need to be involved but the residents claim that procedure was not adhered to.