The Association of Matatu Operators Association’s chairperson Jimal Ibrahim is a marked man. Information Weekly Citizen has is that Jimal is running Arababr Investments with suspicious economic and political goals. Trading under Arababr Sacco that controls South B and Eastleigh, Jogoo Road, Donholm routes, Jimal is said to secretly be backing
William Ruto bid for presidency 2022. Jimal is also associated with Tel Aviv Sacco. The Hustler Movement is out to control the strategic matatu industry for feature political engagement and Jimal is the point man. In what was seen as undermining the state efforts to curb the Covid-19 surge, many were surprised when Jimal called for a national strike.
Sources say Jimal is planning to have city matatu operators oppose National Metropolitan Services director-general Mohammed Badi’s bid to decongest the city, by stopping matatus from operating within the central business district. Jimal has been holding various meetings involving other Sacco officials to fight Badi. According to sources, Jimal has the backing of powerful cartels and City Hall to fight Badi. It is the said cartel that facilitated Jimal to get City Hall licence to operate matatu business running into millions. He is also said to have pocketed senior officials at National Transport Safety Authority. Apart from the matatu business, the tycoon is said to be in car import business. Already, those close to him claim, he is evading taxes running into millions and boasts to enjoy protection from senior Kenya Revenue Authority managers who are allegedly on his payroll. They are petitioning KRA to investigate tax payments by his firms some operated by family members and proxies. The national strike called by Jimal was later called off.
“It is hereby notified upon all and sundry that the nationwide public service vehicle strike scheduled for the 27th day of October 2020 seeking to compel the relevant authorities to increase the passenger capacity of PSV has been called off following fruitful engagement earlier today with the relevant authority,” read the statement. On October 25, Jimal claimed that all matatus across the country would go on strike over stringent Covid-19 measures. He noted that the operators had resorted to strike in an effort to compel the state to address the capacity issues. “On Tuesday, across the country, all matatus must go on strike. I would like to tell our leaders, Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta, they have neglected our matatu industry. “When they visit places, they always talk about boda boda, they talk about bars and churches but they have forgotten the matatu industry. The reason we are striking on Tuesday is because of capacity. Since Covid-19 hit eight months ago, they have not addressed the matatu industry urging for the resumption of full capacity,” he stated. Why he singled out Uhuru and Raila leaving out Ruto in the attacks clearly signified which side he was in the Uhuru succession race.
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