By Anchor Writer
April 29, 2026
A simmering dispute over the allocation of picking and dropping slots at the Machakos Bus Park has forced the County Government of Machakos to suspend the implementation of a controversial plan, following protests from matatu operators.
In a letter dated April 24, 2026, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Urban Development, Housing, Roads and Transport Nathaniel Nganga announced the suspension of the allocation of what the county described as “under-utilized slots” within the bus park.
The move came in response to opposition by sector stakeholders, including the Machakos Matatu Owners Association (MAMOA) and the Lower Eastern Transporters Welfare Association (LETWA).
The county indicated that the decision was informed by the need for “wider consultation” after a scientific traffic count conducted in February 2026 identified idle capacity within the facility. However, MAMOA Secretary General shot a protest note to Mr Nganga, demanding a halt to the re-allocation.
The operators oppose the proposed reorganization, arguing it was being pushed through without adequate engagement and could disrupt established routes and business operations.
The now-suspended implementation appears to have deepened tensions between the county government and matatu sacco leadership, with claims that the reallocation could unfairly benefit select operators while disadvantaging others.
To address the impasse, Nganga invited stakeholders to a consultative meeting scheduled for April 29, 2026, at the Roads and Transport Boardroom in Machakos. Today, over 20 leaders from the sector turned up for the meeting and did not find the minister, who was away attending to an emergency.
All sacco chairpersons operating within the bus park were present to represent their respective umbrella bodies.
Sources within the matatu sector say the dispute touches on long-standing grievances over control, access, and revenue streams at the busy transport hub, which serves as a key artery for public transport in the region.
The outcome of the consultative meeting is expected to determine whether the county will revise, abandon, or proceed with the slot allocation plan under a new framework.
The controversy highlights the delicate balance county governments must strike in regulating urban transport systems while maintaining the confidence of operators whose livelihoods depend on them.
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