Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Eng John Barorot has called on the Matatu leadership to diversify their sector and engage in other economic generating activities noting that Matatu is a formal business like any other and the need to ensure that they structure it is paramount.

Speaking on Monday at the county headquarters during a meeting with various leadership of Matatu saccos on realignment of stages and fair competition, Eng Barorot urged them to work together as a sector for a common goal noting that order has to be structured in realization of organized mobility across town.

The meeting comes a few days after Governor Bii announced the reduction of monthly and daily levies charged from motorbikes, taxis, tuk-tuks and Matatus.

The reductions in fees for Matatus are as follows, the impounding fee was reduced from ksh26,100 to Ksh 5000, the storage fee was reduced from Ksh 3000 per hour to Ksh 1000 per day and the obstruction fee was reduced from Ksh 8000 to ksh1000.

“We want to be among the top ten counties in this country in terms of economy and we cannot achieve it if we can’t diversify our business” said Barorot

He said the county administration is also working on mechanisms for building a modern garage in the upcoming railway city set-up.

“We are working on various key projects among them the state-of-the-art market, construction of an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) to create employment and accommodate many people as we gear towards city status” added Barorot.

County Executive Committee Member for Trade and Cooperatives Martha Cheruto called on the Sacco leadership to ensure they brand themselves well for ease of identification.

Cheruto further said: “Be compliant with county and national traffic regulations for you to realize smooth operations with both national and county officers”

Chief Officer for Cooperative Ruth Samoei asked the sector to maximize their given stages and avoid roadside parking, especially on the highways.

Samoei said Eldoret town has over 300,000 vehicles and out of these, 4000 are PSV plying various routes.

Administration and Coordination Chief Officer Mark Some said all county askaris are uniformed to ensure transparency and to inform stakeholders of the administration’s business support.

On his part Municipality Manager Tito Koiyet reiterated the need for having an organized transport system that investors would want to invest in adding that for ease of mobility and accessibility, a bus stage needs to be located in a centralized place.

Among those present during the multi-sectorial meeting include Directors Kipleting Mengich (Enterprise Development) Jonah Lamai (Revenue Management), Cosmas Kerich (Enforcement), and Samuel Wambugu (Cooperative Audit).