Economy

Matatu owners claim millions in daily losses on poll uncertainty

matatu

Transport Matatu Owners Association chair Simon Kimutai. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NMG

Matatu Owners say their daily earnings have dropped by a quarter (Sh75 million) since the Supreme Court annulled the August 8 presidential election results.

Matatu Owners Association (MOA) chairman Simon Kimutai said the public transport sector has lost about Sh225 million since Friday last week as vehicles belonging to most members are kept away from the roads.

“The sector generates about Sh300 million per day in revenue and this has shrunk by about 25 per cent since the Supreme Court annulled the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta,’ he said.

Mr Kimutai said the economy has been held to ransom by politicians and as a result, no major business activities are going on especially in the transport sector.

He called upon politicians to desist from dictating to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) a date as to when the fresh presidential polls should be held.

READ: Matatu owners count Sh700 mn revenue loss since polls

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Mr Kimutai said the IEBC is the only body mandated by the Constitution to set a presidential election date.

“If October 17 has been declared as the date for elections, we will stand with you. Hold the elections on the same date. You should not be blackmailed and neither should you yield to any kind of pressure from politicians,” said Mr Kimutai.

The IEBC on Monday settled on October 17 as the date for a new vote ordered by the Supreme Court.

The Opposition, Nasa, led by Raila Odinga has so far rejected the date date and proposed October 24.

Mr Odinga said on Tuesday that he will not accept the date because the IEBC failed to consult him and other stakeholders “as stipulated by the law”.

The top court in the land found that the IEBC did not conduct the elections in accordance with the Constitution and Elections Act.