Isiolo matatus end strike after meeting with county officials

The Isiolo County government and matatu operators have resolved a standoff that arose from the municipality's recent decision to permit a new Sacco based in Embu to operate in Isiolo town.

The stalemate saw transport along the Isiolo-Meru, Isiolo-Nairobi, Isiolo-Wamba, Isiolo-Nanyuki, and Isiolo-Marsabit routes paralysed last week after the operators boycotted work. The operators had even threatened to stop paying seasonal parking fees.

On Monday, representatives of matatu owners and operators from six saccos that operate within Isiolo Central Business District met County Secretary Dade Boru, Land and Urban Development Executive Dahir Yusuf, and Municipality Manager Osman Halakhe, among other county officials, in a bid to solve the deadlock.

It was agreed at the meeting that the licence for the new Sacco be revoked and the process to recruit new entrants be suspended until the requisite measures were in place.

Dahir said the priority would be decongesting the town before new Saccos were allowed into the transit town.

"We have agreed that we will not increase the Saccos until the existing challenges, including decongestion, are addressed. The permit will be revoked, and the Sacco will be asked to leave and operate from Embu," Dahir explained.

He also cited the influx of traders within the entry and exit to the main matatu stage, directly opposite the stalled Isiolo stadium, as among the issues the county was also keen on solving.

Osman assured the operators of a conducive working environment to enable their businesses to thrive, saying they were contributing to reducing the unemployment rate in the region.

"The sector has offered jobs to many residents, especially youths. We will support you so that you contribute to the growth of our economy," he said.

County Matatu Owners Association Chairperson Mohammed Ahmed hailed the county for responding to their concerns.