UTODA can’t control taxis
Jun 10, 2011
THERE are situations where the walk-to-work protests are appropriate and can work effectively.
THERE are situations where the walk-to-work protests are appropriate and can work effectively.
A few months into its first term, the NARC government in Kenya had the matatu sector as one of the key priorities to put in order. The transport minister, John Michuki, swung into action. All taxis were required to carry only the authorised 25 or 14 passengers, including the conductor, thus a 14-seater had to carry 13 fare-paying passengers.
All drivers and conductors had to wear uniforms.
Loud music was banned. Route fares had to displayed inside the taxis, route numbers allocated and followed. The matatu fraternity resisted at first. The public supported the government. For two weeks, we boycotted taxis. We walked to work, neighbours offered lifts to neighbours, companies with staff buses offered rides to all, until the matatu operators were brought to their knees.
Today, one sits in a decent taxi anywhere in Kenya. The new Kampala Capital City Authority boss may want to pay Michuki a visit but after spending two weeks travelling by taxi in Kampala to learn firsthand the trials of people who travel by public means in Kampala. This will inform her whether to leave such an essential service as public transport in the hands of an amorphous hydra called UTODA.
UTODA cannot control drivers because they are basically employees of those drivers. Most kamunyes are driver-owned and they can behave any way they want as long as they pay UTODA fees. A bus or taxi fare from Entebbe to Kampala is the same as from city centre to Lungujja!
This is an essential service that cannot be left in the hands of demi-lumpens. This is the time for the people of Kampala to walk to work— for a legitimate reason.
Amon B. Mbekiza
Kampala
A few months into its first term, the NARC government in Kenya had the matatu sector as one of the key priorities to put in order. The transport minister, John Michuki, swung into action. All taxis were required to carry only the authorised 25 or 14 passengers, including the conductor, thus a 14-seater had to carry 13 fare-paying passengers.
All drivers and conductors had to wear uniforms.
Loud music was banned. Route fares had to displayed inside the taxis, route numbers allocated and followed. The matatu fraternity resisted at first. The public supported the government. For two weeks, we boycotted taxis. We walked to work, neighbours offered lifts to neighbours, companies with staff buses offered rides to all, until the matatu operators were brought to their knees.
Today, one sits in a decent taxi anywhere in Kenya. The new Kampala Capital City Authority boss may want to pay Michuki a visit but after spending two weeks travelling by taxi in Kampala to learn firsthand the trials of people who travel by public means in Kampala. This will inform her whether to leave such an essential service as public transport in the hands of an amorphous hydra called UTODA.
UTODA cannot control drivers because they are basically employees of those drivers. Most kamunyes are driver-owned and they can behave any way they want as long as they pay UTODA fees. A bus or taxi fare from Entebbe to Kampala is the same as from city centre to Lungujja!
This is an essential service that cannot be left in the hands of demi-lumpens. This is the time for the people of Kampala to walk to work— for a legitimate reason.
Amon B. Mbekiza
Kampala