Should matatus be cracked down for failure to adhere to traffic rules?
Police have impounded public Service Vehicles in a countrywide crackdown launched on following a directive by Police department.
The crackdown which is to be conducted in all parts of the country mainly targets vehicles which have no safety belts, speed governors among others.The crackdown has inconvenienced thousands of passengers, with many forced to trek back home or to their places of work, particularly in Nairobi and other major towns. Some matatu owners opted to withdraw their vehicles for fear of being arrested while others hurried to garages to fix their vehicles.
Traffic Commandant Samuel Kimaru on Monday warned passengers on what to expect during the fresh matatu crackdown.
Speaking on Citizen TV, Kimaru indicated that passengers will equally not be spared during the intensified operation to sanitise the transport industry.
“Ata wewe ukiwa abiria, ukipatikana hauna belt utaenda ndani (For the commuters, if you are found with your seatbelt unfastened, you will also be arrested),” he cautioned.
The Michuki rules were simple. Each PSV was required to have;
1. A seat belt on each seat.
2. A speed limiter.
3. Uniforms for the matatu crew.Matatus should not cry foul. They should comply with the law. – pic.twitter.com/PLo3889noZ
— Kokwet Mmoja (@KokwetM) November 5, 2018
Kimaru further warned of tough times ahead as the crackdown intensifies in the coming weeks.
“Wacha niwaambie mapema, hii ilifanyika Nairobi nikama warm-up, the storm is coming (Let me warn them early enough, whatever has been witnessed is just rehearsals, a full-blown operation is on the way),” he stated.
Adding that more will be done as the December festivities approach, Kimaru iterated that those who have complied with the rules should have nothing to fear.
“Leta gari yako town hatujafukuza mtu. Kama iko na hizo vitu zote, hakuna mtu atakufukuza (We have not banned anyone from operating in the city, just ensure you have complied with the rules and you will be safe),” he indicated.
Among the things that the crackdown is seeking to enforce are the provisions of the famous Michuki Rules including functional safety belts, speed governors, illegal bull-bars (bumper) and the yellow line on PSVs.
For the service providers, Kimaru indicated that the drivers and their conductors should don their full uniform, wear a badge and the driver should display their verified photo inside the matatu.
Kimaru further vowed that the existing Court Order suspending Michuki Rules would not affect the operation as the requirements are legally enshrined in the NTSA Act and Traffic Act of Kenya.