KISUMU City has banned matatus from using petrol stations for parking, waiting, picking up or dropping off passengers, citing safety, traffic and public health concerns.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, city manager Abala Wanga warned that petrol station premises are strictly designated for petroleum retail and related services and must not be used as informal termini or PSV stages.
The directive applies to all owners, operators and managers of petrol stations within the city and takes effect immediately.
Abala said the practice of PSVs parking or operating from petrol stations poses serious risks to public safety, disrupts traffic flow and amounts to an unauthorised change of land use.
“Allowing PSVs to park, wait or operate from petrol station premises constitutes an unauthorised use of the facilities and endangers public safety,” he stated in the notice.
The city boss said the move is anchored in the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and several national and county laws that give county governments the mandate to regulate transport, traffic and parking.
These include the Traffic Act, the Public Health Act, the Energy Act, the Physical and Land Use Planning Act and the County Governments Act. Under the Traffic Act, obstruction of roads and public places is prohibited, while the Public Health Act classifies activities that endanger public safety as statutory nuisances.
The Energy Act and regulations enforced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority require petrol stations to operate in a manner that safeguards public safety.
Abala further noted that petrol stations are not licensed as PSV parking areas, termini or passenger pick-up and drop-off points, and any such use violates licensing conditions.
The city management warned that enforcement action will be taken against both PSV operators and petrol station owners found violating the directive.
“These measures may include penalties, removal of vehicles, closure of premises and prosecution in accordance with the law”.
The directive comes amid ongoing efforts by the city to streamline urban transport, ease congestion and enhance safety within Kisumu’s central business district and surrounding areas.
by FAITH MATETE
