Matatus in Nairobi risk being charged an instant fine of between Sh50,000 and Sh100,000 if they are caught carrying passengers outside the gazetted designated areas. 

According to a raft of new regulations aimed at streamlining public transport and curbing noise pollution in the Central Business District (CBD), the county government says any public service vehicle entering a terminal shall be required to display the route number. 

“These regulations are aimed at restoring order and dignity within the Central Business District (CBD). We have realised that most of these matatus have a bad habit of making almost every part of this city a picking and dropping point. That one will not be allowed again. They must follow the law and order,” said Moses Kuiyaki, Director of Mobility at City Hall. 

Kuiyaki said that though the draft has received some opposition from the stakeholders, especially on the fines imposed, the county was not going to relent again, especially on its quest to decongest the capital. 

“We cannot keep on repeating the same thing over and over again. We want Nairobi to be orderly,” he said. 

According to the regulations, no touting will be allowed in all designated terminals. 

Passengers will be required to queue to board the vehicles and matatus, which will remain idle for over 40 minutes, will be forced to move out of the termini. 

Notably, infants and school-going children will be exempted from paying the fares. 

Further, the county plans to designate and gazette specific public service terminals for urban transport. 

“This issue of children is not new at all. Long time ago, children used to be ferried for free. I don’t know what happened that nowadays they are usually charged,” said Kuiyaki. 

The Proposed Nairobi City County Permit to Operate Regulations, 2025, are aimed at improving efficiency and easing congestion in the city. 

Speaking during a public participation forum yesterday, the operators unanimously said they will oppose the regulations. 

“We will not allow these at all. For instance, what will they do with other buses if they enforce this thing of only allowing a few buses to operate on a certain route? We have taken loans to acquire these buses, and they are not helping us to pay the loans,” said Mike Muchiri from Forward Travellers Sacco. 

Kelvin Momanyi from Embassava Sacco said the county should always consult the stakeholders before coming up with such regulations.