Would you report a case of mediocrity to Police on the roads?
Internal security Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is known to be a no nonsense man and when he implements a policy he does it thoroughly; since his days in the communications and Information Technology docket.
This is the man who switched off television stations for almost a month as they protested the crossover from analog to digital platforms and proceeded to ensure that exams were free of any theft, whose fruits we are enjoying now. He is now working to finish illegalities at the transport sector.
However, some Matatus are taking his directive for granted!
The above sit belt – or an example of one – was spotted in one of the Compliant SACCO matatus plying the Ngong road route on Monday evening raising the question whether the inspection is being effectively done.
The belt is simply a bag locking clip that is plastic in nature and can hardly stop one from flying off the bus in case of an accident because it is too weak to stand the impact. This can not even be solely used in a bag and has to be reinforced with a small padlock when one is traveling.
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Mr. Simon Kimutai, the national chairman of the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) has already stated that the association welcomes enforcement of the Michuki rules since they are traffic laws that public transport vehicles should always follow. He, however, faulted transport enforcement agencies for failing to do their work properly in the past.
“Traffic rules are meant to be enforced continuously but the police have not been doing so. They are now pretending to be serious about enforcement. I am worried that they will take advantage of the enforcement for personal gain,” he stated.
Several cases have been reported through online platforms as crackdown continues.
08:30 This Matatu was doing speeds above 120KM/H on Thika road this morning I suppose it should be having a speed Gov right? @ntsa_kenya @FredMatiangi @JBoinnet kindly act Kenyan Lives must be saved pic.twitter.com/whsGvjekxP via @obai316
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) November 14, 2018
Mr. Kimutai’s belief that traffic police and other enforcement agencies will exploit the enforcement for bribes has been echoed by Mr. Dickson Mbugua, the chairman of the Matatu Welfare Association (MWA).