These city mathrees are flashy and exude an air of ‘coolness.’ The amount of work that goes into their decor could be said to be over the top and they cost a pretty penny to soup up.
But matatu drivers and touts are only out to make money and ignore traffic laws. They need training on etiquette because bad behaviour is creeping back and causing deaths.
Competition for passengers, mostly the ‘mahewa generation’ has seen owners splashing millions to keep ahead of the cut-throat game.
A joint statement by the Ministries of Transport and Interior directed all Public Service Vehicles be fitted with speed governors, safety belts and the continuous yellow line or prepare to face the law.
Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) have until Monday, 12th November 2018 to comply with all traffic laws, including Michuki Rules, as the Government sets out to tame the scourge of senseless loss of lives in road carnage. pic.twitter.com/nfi2znrEe0
— National Government Communication Centre (@ngcc_ke) October 25, 2018
Public Service Vehicle conductors will also be required to wear uniform and prominently display their photos as prescribed by the law.
“Therefore, effective Monday ,12 November 2018,any PSV vehicle, drivers, SACCOs/Transport companies, passengers and other relevant parties that fail to comply with the provisions of the NTSA Act and the Traffic Act will be firmly dealt with the law” read part of the statement.
The statement follows the increase in accidents involving PSVs across the country with the recent one in Kericho where more than 50 lives were lost.
The two Cabinet Secretaries have stated that the accidents are as a result of failing to follow laws governing traffic management.
Matatu Owners Association chairman has previously said Poor training of matatu drivers is the cause of motor accidents.
Kimutai said the state neglects the sector and only comes in during a national crisis.
“The government only shifts attention when there is a negative display in the public,” he said.
The chairman added that Kimutai urged the government to come up with better training curriculum to tame rogue matatu crews.
But Matatu Welfare Association chairman Dickson Mbugua said saccos should not rely on the government regarding crew conduct. “Such matters should be emphasised within the saccos, which should control its members’ discipline.”
Mbugua added, “One cannot say they do not know speeding is against traffic laws.
Does that require training?” The association will launch a training programme for road users at the end of the year.
The two officials condemned an accident in which four people were killed on Saturday in the city centre. The Latema Sacco vehicle ran over passengers waiting to board matatus near the Old Nation Roundabout.
Roads executive Mohamed Dagane said, “This is overall indiscipline in the matatu industry.”