BY SHADRACK NYAKOE
Several Matatu SACCO’s operating in Nairobi have accused the Association of Matatu Operators (AMO) Chairman Jimal Ibrahim Hassan of harassment.
Speaking while appearing before the Nairobi City County Assembly committee on Transport and Public works, the operators told City MCAs that Jimal has colluded with the traffic Police, County Askaris together with NTSA and lied that some of the operators are involved in robbery with violence.
The operators said these false allegations have seen them arrested and charged in court.
They said once they are arrested and their vehicles pulled off the roads, Jimals vehicles would occupy their picking and drop off points within the CBD.
The operators said Jimal who owns several matatus illegally operates on more than twenty routes -which is unlawful.
Julius Omoke, the chairperson for Eastleigh Matatu SACCO appealed to the Committee to intervene and help end the harassment.
Mary Achieng who is the secretary of Huruma Minibus SACCO appealed to the Committee to help them get back their picking and drop off slots.
Simon Katiwa who is the director of Akila SACCO operating in South C said some of the vehicles belonging to the SACCO are no longer in the NTSA system.
Katiwa said, after successfull investigations, they found out that Jimal hacked the NTSA System and deleted their SACCO details.
The said the names of directors, drivers and conductors were deleted and now Akila SACCO is nonexistent.
Utalii, MCA Wilson Ocholla called on Joseph Kipsang -the City Inspectorate Director and Parking Director Tom Tinega to resign or Governor Sonko to sack them.
Ochola said the two have failed in their duties.
The Committees Chairperson Joyce Muthoni asked the operators to table evidence of the allegations on Wednesday.
“As a committee, I will invite the NTSA, members of the executive and Traffic officers to address all their grievances raised,” she said.
Jimal could not be reached for comment as he did not respond to calls nor text messages sent to his phone.