A court decision awarding ownership of the Makongeni Bus Park land to the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) has triggered outrage among matatu operators and traders who fear the move will destroy their livelihoods and disrupt transport in the busy Thika suburb.
The Environment and Land Court in Thika ruled in favor of PCK after a seven-year legal battle with the Kiambu County Government, ordering the county to immediately cease operations at the site, hand over control to the corporation, and remit all revenues collected from matatu operators since June 16, 2018.
The four-acre parcel, which had been idle before, was allocated during the tenure of former Governor Ferdinand Waititu for the establishment of a bus park intended to ease transport and improve accessibility in Makongeni.
The facility has since been renovated and upgraded into a modern terminus under Governor Kimani Wamatangi, and was officially reopened earlier this year.
Matatu operators, who have relied on the park for the past seven years, said the ruling threatens the livelihoods of more than 2,000 people who depend on the facility directly and indirectly.
“We have been here for seven years, paying our dues to the county government and operating peacefully. If we are evicted, many of us will lose our jobs,” said Jack Muchiri, one of the operators.
