By Joseph Mwangi
Ummoinner Matatu Sacco founder Chairman Christopher ‘Ngex’ Muia was today elected the new Matatu Owners Association (MOA) National Coordinator as the association elected a new leadership in change of guard.
Muia ‘Ngex’ was elected alongside Albert Karagacha who unanimously voted the new chairman taking over from retiring Simon Kimutai at the Association’s National Governing Council (NGC), which met at Luke Hotel, Roasters Inn, Thika Road and agreed in unison for the new chairman, Albert Karakacha.
Ngex is the founder chairman of Nairobi’s famed public service vehicles Sacco Ummoinner, which ply the CBD – Umoja estate route and has stamped its feet in the industry.
During the AGM, Muia, who had initially expressed interest in the chairman’s position, seeded his ambition, as did fellow contestants Joseph Mungai and Stephen Murunga, leaving Karakacha un-opposed for the position of chairman as Muia was elected to the National coordinator position, previously held by the new chairman, Karaacha.
Muia co-founded Ummoinner alongside his two other friends who together, were slum dwelling matatu touts who earned an average Ksh 400 per day. The three friends came together and would save Ksh 200 per day and after about 10 years of saving diligently; they were able to acquire their first vehicle in 2006, a 14 seater matatu at a cost of Ksh 600,000. They started operating the matatu amidst challenges and opposition from their competitors who wanted to throw them out of the market.
Three years into the business came another major setback that almost shut down their dreams. In 2009, the Ministry of Transport issued a new directive that required all matatu vehicles to be under a Sacco. The Sacco was supposed to have at least 30 matatus in order to gain approval. Ummoinner didn’t meet the threshold at the time and had to wait for three more years before meeting the requirements, gaining approval and the rest as they say is history.
Ummoinner is currently under the leadership Muia who is the Chairman.
Long serving Matatu Owners Association Chairman Simon Kimutai, who has served at the helm of the association for over 20 years bringing it to its current state of influence in the transport industry retired from his role taking over the role of patron. Steve Murunga will continue serving as vice chairman.
During the meeting, members proposed to form the position of a patron. The board agreed to keep Mr Kimutai in the association as a patron, a position he accepted, saying he would not need much from him apart from advising the leadership.
Kimutai also urged the new chairman to take advantage of opportunities that come his way, including working with the government.
In his farewell speech, outgoing chairman Mr Kimutai urged members to work closely with the new leader in whom he expressed confidence. Kimutai urged the new officeholders to ensure that the interest of its members supersedes their own interests. Members proposed to have a befitting party for the outgoing chairman soon.
