Founder and CEO of Exodus Mobility Kikonde Mwatela briefs the press on the attacks on their buses./KNA
Police have been urged to hasten investigations into a series of attacks on cashless mini-buses operated by Exodus Mobility in partnership with the County Government of Mombasa in Bamburi, Kisauni Sub-County.
Barely two weeks after the new scheduled public transport service in the Port City, dubbed Move Mombasa, commenced operations, it has faced some hurdles, as unknown people have attacked the mini-buses plying the Bamburi-Docks and Bamburi-Docks routes, staff have been threatened, and the operations of the cashless buses have been disrupted.
The attacks have left the company counting losses, as the six buses have stopped their services as a result of their attacks.
The unfortunate incident that occurred at the Bamburi Mwisho stage was reported at the Bamburi Police Station.
“Our employees were threatened, and the daily operations and schedules were deliberately halted. We condemn the acts in the strongest terms possible,” lamented Exodus Mobility Co-Founder and CEO Kikonde Mwatela.
Some of the Move Mombasa buses parked at Mama Ngina Water Front after operations were suspended./KNA
The CEO informed passengers who had signed up for the service that they had suspended operations temporarily for safety concerns.
However, the passengers were assured that the stalemate would be resolved by tomorrow (Monday).
“We are optimistic that we will return with renewed vigour. Every passenger who had paid for the service will be fully refunded. We had promised, and we will fulfil that,” the CEO assured the passengers.
“We have reported the incident to the authorities, and it is now under active investigation by the relevant department. We will follow the law and ensure that justice prevails,” he added.
To encourage ridership upon its return, the firm has slashed its weekly bus passenger fare from Sh1,000 to Sh839.
“We believe all residents of Mombasa deserve to commute safely and at an affordable fare. Exodus Mobility stands for change, safety and innovation,” he stated, affirming that the company has recruited locals as drivers and conductors.
The CEO further encouraged locals to register for the service to prove to the saboteurs that transformative development initiatives cannot be stopped.
Abbas Omar, a driver of the firm, said they got complaints from Matatu drivers who decried that their entry would disrupt their work because their system of payments is weekly and cashless.
“They decided we cannot work since we are disrupting their work. They stopped us, but we had to stop operations to avert damage to the vehicles. We reported to the Bamburi Police Station,” he stated, urging other players in the industry to accept competition.
However, Kenneth Kinyajui, a co-founder of the firm, said they have left the matter to the police to get to the bottom of the incident and to swiftly apprehend the culprits, as investigations are ongoing.
Salim Omar, a staff member, urged the police to determine the root cause of the incident, as everyone has the right to do business and healthy competition is allowed.
