Governor barred from banning minibus taxis

The High Court has rejected Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's ban on minibus taxis accessing the town centre, pending a probe by businessman Paul Kobia. Sonko began enforcing the restriction last Monday, as part of plans to decongest the CBD, but suspended it the following day after a major backlash. The Daily Nation reports that Kobia subsequently filed a suit seeking orders to bar Sonko from implementing the gazette notice that barred the vehicles from collecting and dropping off commuters. He said the public was not consulted before the change was implemented and that no measures were put in place to cater for passengers, including the disabled. He added that in countries like SA and Egypt rapid public transfer systems were installed before any minibus restrictions were implemented.