Matatu operators in Nyeri county withheld their services for the better part of yesterday, protesting a county government order to relocate them from Nyeri town’s central business district.

They stayed away from the town’s three key termini and went to Governor Mutahi Kahiga’s office to protest the decision.

Kahiga’s administration wants to relocate public service vehicles (PSV) and traders from the town centre to the new Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima bus park, about 1.5km away.

Operators were told in a November 13 letter that they would not be allowed to offer their services in the town centre effective November 14.

“Following the meeting held on November 13, 2024 on [the] subject matter among the county government, national security team and matatu secretariat, all PSV operators are hereby authorized to move and relocate their operations to the new bus terminus on November 14, 2024,” ordered the letter signed by County Transport Executive Abdi Hussein.

The operators staged their protest at the entrance to the governor’s office as their sacco leaders held talks with Kahiga most of the day.

Kahiga wants matatus and traders to move to the new Sh600 million facility, which includes a bus terminus and a market, so as to ease congestion in the bustling town centre.

The facility boasts 240 bays for matatus, taxis, buses, and tuktuks, spaces for 51 lorry, 94 waiting areas for passengers, parking for 40 personal vehicles, and 98 booking offices.

Nyeri Town MP Maina Mathenge has vehemently opposed the decision, arguing that it will jeopardise the livelihoods of thousands of traders and PSV operators.

Speaking to a crowd of matatu operators and traders in Nyeri on Monday, Mathenge said the relocation plan was unacceptable.