Matatu owners have vowed to defy the Ministry of Health directives on Covid-19 travel requirements. Led by the Matatu Owners Association Chairman, Simon Kimutai, they have termed the directives as unrealistic. This comes after the Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, announced that the matatu operators, conductors and passengers, would be required to avail proof of vaccination, in order to be able to go about their businesses.
Kimutai questioned the directives’ practicality, citing blackmail, while insinuating that the Ministry had made the decision without consulting the stakeholders, as they are yet to receive any official communication from the Ministry. Kimutai accused the government of trying to use the public transport sector to achieve its vaccination target, further stating that their businesses were private enterprises and hence, should not be subjected to such measures.
On November 23, the National Taskforce on Vaccine Deployment chairperson, Willis Akhwale, clarified that Kagwe’s statement was misunderstood. Akhwale stated that the jab will not be mandatory, and that the measures will only apply to people seeking to get in-person services.