Any sane and forward thinking Kenyan will tell you that the situation on our roads is a complete mess! Only last month, an overloaded and unroadworthy bus Killed 58 people. 58! As usual, our law enforcers were all over the news saying all the things we all wanted to hear but which we all knew would not be implemented as cries to fix the ongoing rot became louder. The Owner of the bus was arrested as expected and charged. And as usual we forgot about the whole issue, like we always do.
We are however thankful that one man did not forget and is keen on ensuring that the rot will be dealt with deep from its foundation. That Man is none other but Noordin Haji.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has ordered investigations on the insurance company and the body builder of the ill-fated bus which killed 58 people at Fort Ternan, Kericho County last month.
In a statement, the DPP said the investigations will seek to establish why the company insured the bus despite obvious “defaults” and whether the firm is capable of meeting its financial obligations.
The investigations will also ascertain whether the bus was built as per the specifications, Mr Haji said.
The bus rolled at Fort Ternan on October 10, killing 58 people and injuring 15 others. The owner Mr Bernard Isindu Shitiabayi appeared before a Molo court and denied charges of operating the bus without a speed governor, operating it at night without travel licence contrary to section 11(1) of the NTSA Act of 2013 and failing to register the names of the driver and the conductor of the killer bus contrary to Traffic Act.
The step to investigate on the Insurance company and body builder should come as a warning to all involved in the Public transport business. It should ensure that all responsible will perform their duties will diligence and transparency or face the wrath of the law.
Weak bodies on the vehicles will not be tolerated anymore and the builders will be forced up their game, for starters. The less that is said about the insurance companies and their role in the countless deaths on our roads, the better.
Next up the DPP should go for these traffic Police officers collecting bribes in broad day light with the knowledge that they are untouchables.
