The return of cartels in the matatu sector will not be allowed. The Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Mr Simon Ole Kirgotty, said yesterday the Government will not tolerate anybody ignoring regulations aimed at streamlining the sector.
He expressed his displeasure with the newly registered Matatu Owners Association for tolerating illegal activities of the Mungiki sect and Kamjesh groups in Nairobi.
"The law is very clear on who is supposed to allocate routes. We will not allow individuals or groups to take over Government departments' respon- sibilities," he said.
Meanwhile, the Matatu Welfare Association (MWA) has denounced members of Mungiki and vowed to stop them from taking control of city routes.
The chairman, Mr Dickson Mbugua, dismissed Mungiki's Mr Ndura Waruinge as "a confused and desperate extortionist" who is misleading the youth that they can get free money without working for it.
Addressing representatives of matatu owners, route managers and members of the executive committee of the association at a Nairobi hotel, Mbugua said they will not allow Mungiki to assume control of city routes.
Matatu operators in Eldoret yesterday petitioned the Government to outlaw activities of the sect.
Led by the chairman of the Eldoret-Iten Travellers Association, Mr Richard Amdany, the operators warned that moves by Mungiki sect members to take over all matatu termini should not be taken lightly by the Government.
"Why is the Government watching helplessly as the sect members take over routes and threaten to invade others?" asked Amdany.
And Kanu and opposition leaders from Western Province said the Government should not continue to underrate the threats being issued by the Mungiki.
Led by the National Development Party (NDP) Co- ordinator, Mr Francis Kaburu and Butere/Mumias Kanu branch secretary Sammy Aswani, the leaders said the Government should immediately launch investigations to establish the exact motive of the sect.
At the same time, the Nairobi PPO, Mr Geoffrey Muathe, yesterday asserted that the Mungiki will not be allowed to manage any city termini and urged matatu owners to take control of the industry. Muathe said all authorised stage managers will be required to wear uniform with route numbers and anyone interfering with matatu operations will be arrested.
He reiterated that the police will give matatu operators all the support they need and vowed to instil order and create harmony in the industry.