Starehe MP Charles Kanyi Njagua popularly known as Jaguar is at odds with some Nairobians after suing Governor Mike Sonko in a case pitting him against boda boda operators.
The first time youthful Jubilee MP suffered a humiliating moment on Sunday after congregants of Redeemed Gospel Church in Jericho booed him in the presence of Deputy President William Ruto and host of other Jubilee MPs.
Soon after he took to addressing the faithful’s, he was dressed down with chants of “kigeugeu” –meaning a person who lacks a firm stand.
Ironically, he was referred to in the same terms he once used to refer to self-centred politicians in his hit song, Kigeugeu which he released years before declaring his interest in politics.
Governor Sonko was also in attendance.
Sonko in a gazette notice dated January 22 banned all boda boda operators from the City Centre except those offering courier services.
“Pursuant to the provisions of the Traffic Act CAP 403 of 2014 of the Laws of the Republic of Kenya, the county government of Nairobi wishes to inform all motorcycle operators ferrying passengers to and from the CBD-that such activities have been banned with immediate effect,” read part of the notice by acting county secretary Leboo Morintat.
The notice added that anyone in breach will be liable to long jail terms as well as hefty fines.
Sonko in his justification to ban boda boda’s from the CBD said they contributed to increased muggings in the city centre.
Most of the crimes reported have been linked with boda bodas. The assailants prefer using the bikes to get away because of their traffic maneuvering capability.
Peter Mbaya, the Director of Operations at Nairobi City Inspectorate said most of the operators are rogue and do not respect traffic laws in the city.
He also said they cause traffic snarl-ups because they occupy parking slots within the CBD not allocated for boda bodas.
But even with this notice, the operators continue to do business in the city as usual with the reprieve of the court case challenging the ban by the governor backed by Jaguar.