Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant Irungu Nyakera has promised to stand with matatu workers, saying he understands their daily struggles from personal experience.
Speaking on Wednesday after meeting representatives of the Matatu Workers Union, Nyakera recalled his journey from working as a makanga to later serving as Principal Secretary for Transport.
He said this background gives him a unique perspective on the challenges that have long plagued the city’s public transport sector.
Union officials highlighted grievances including low pay, long working hours, harassment by law enforcement, and rising licensing costs.
They also raised concerns over the lack of medical cover and the constant pressure of operating in a largely informal system.
Nyakera pledged to address these issues if elected governor in 2027.
He promised to push for fairer regulations, improved welfare for workers, and a safer, more reliable transport system.
“I have walked this journey before. I know what it means to work in this industry, and I will work with you now and in the future to change Nairobi,” he told the workers.
The meeting signaled Nyakera’s bid to connect with grassroots players in a sector that forms the backbone of Nairobi’s transport system.
For many matatu workers, his pledge of reforms was welcomed as a rare acknowledgment from a politician who once lived their reality.
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