Court orders Kiambu County to hand over Thika’s Makongeni Bus Park to Posta, sparking job loss fears among matatu operators

A court ruling awarding ownership of the Makongeni Bus Park in Thika to the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) has triggered outrage among matatu operators and traders who say the decision threatens to destroy their livelihoods and paralyze local transport.

The Environment and Land Court in Thika ruled in favour of PCK after a seven-year legal battle with the Kiambu County Government, directing the county to cease all operations at the site, hand over control to the corporation, and remit all revenues collected from matatu operators since June 16, 2018.

The contested four-acre parcel of land, which had remained idle before, was allocated by former Governor Ferdinand Waititu for the construction of a bus park to ease transport and boost accessibility within Makongeni. The facility was later upgraded by Governor Kimani Wamatangi and officially opened earlier this year as part of the county’s urban modernization plan.

Now, the ruling effectively bars the county from collecting stage and parking fees at the busy terminus — a move that could affect thousands of people who depend on the facility for income.

“We have been here for seven years, paying our dues to the county government and operating peacefully. If we are evicted, many of us will lose our jobs,” said Jack Muchiri, a matatu operator at the park.

Traders who sell food, vehicle parts, and accessories around the terminus said the ruling could cripple their small businesses and reverse years of progress in the area.

“We are not against Posta reclaiming its land, but there should be a way to accommodate everyone. The government should step in and help us find a middle ground,” said Paul Njomo, a trader.

The affected operators and traders have appealed to both PCK and the Kiambu County Government to engage in dialogue and reach an amicable solution that balances legal ownership with community welfare.

The Makongeni Bus Park, one of Thika’s busiest transport hubs, serves thousands of daily commuters and directly supports over 2,000 people, including drivers, conductors, traders, and service providers.

As the county and PCK weigh their next steps, uncertainty looms over the future of the bus park and the livelihoods it sustains a reminder of how land disputes can ripple through Kenya’s urban economies.