In March 2004, Hon. John Michuki, then Minister for Transport, enacted the famous Michuki rules to enforce mandatory installation of speed governors and safety belts in Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) in a bid to enhance safety and instill order into the chaotic public transport sector.
It is noteworthy that three months after the promulgation of the Michuki Rules, road accidents declined nationally by 74% while accidents involving urban transport buses fell by a whooping 93%.
This is no longer the case and every passenger or motorist will attest that only a few matatu operators are complying with the Michuki Rules today. Consequently, disorder has crept back into the sector and new rules notwithstanding, public transport in the country is still bedeviled with incessant turmoil.
The fairly lucrative public transport industry has over the years been invaded by cartels that have little regard for law and order, safety, comfort and the business interests of their clientele. These operators have over time become reckless merchants of death; licensed to kill and maim their own customers.
In a research carried out by the UK Transport Research Laboratory (TRRL), Kenya ranked fifth highest in the number of accidents per licensed vehicles out of 29 selected countries worldwide. The exchequer, the general public and private business pay heavy costs for the hospitalization, treatment and rehabilitation of accident victims.
They also bear the price of material damage to motor vehicles, mobile plant equipment, damaged merchandise and lost man hours. This is without counting the cost of fuel wasted in incessant traffic jams and the ever rising premiums of underwriting the high risks associated with public transport. This is all due to selective application and laxity in the enforcement of traffic laws.
Michuki rules must be adhered to,we passengers need safety. Matatu should stop the cat-rat run with police. Just COMPLY.@Ma3Route
— Jayjay Matu (@JayjayMatu) November 5, 2018
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) together with other Government Agencies have revealed the main reasons why 2018 has the highest death toll accruing from road accidents.
In a major crack-down of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) along Nakuru-Nairobi highway, Road Safety Association of Kenya’s David Kiarie revealed that most of them had tampered with speed governors.
He further added that was the main reason why PSVs were leading in road accidents claiming more lives in the 2000 deaths reported this year alone.
Hundreds of commuters were on Monday morning left stranded after public service vehicles in Nairobi’s Eastlands area continued with a strike, which began on Sunday, to protest the reintroduction of the ‘Michuki’ traffic rules.
08:17 this the situation in Buruburu Mutindwa area pic.twitter.com/mOOruEc8rP via @georgeoketch12
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) November 5, 2018
Matatu operators have resulted to keep off the roads as they protest the new crackdown meant to streamline the matatu sector and bring sanity back to the roads.
Most of the stranded commuters opted to use other means including boda bodas to access their destinations, with others having to pay the high fares charged by the few matatus in operation.
Before the said deadline, all public service vehicles (PSV) must be fitted with:-
(i) Speed limiters/governors.
(ii) Safety belts (seat belts).
(iii) Yellow continuous line.
At the same time, all PSV drivers and conductors are required to:-
(i) Wear uniforms and PSV badges as prescribed by law.
(ii) Prominently display their photos as prescribed by law.
Michuki Rules must be adhered with… the Matatu madness must stop. Yes, they can down tools for all we care but there must be sanity on our roads.
— Philip Etale (@EtalePhilip) November 5, 2018
I support the reintroduction of #michukirules. It will help clear unroad worthy vehicles and hopefully reduce carnage on our roads #AdelleAndShaffieOnKISS
— Gunslinger (@kiashte) November 5, 2018