A driver and his tout who elicited the anger of social media users has been summoned to appear at the NTSA offices and record a statement.
The driver had ordered a woman and her child to alight after they refused excess passengers.
KBU 254G Meru PSV . Forced a mother and her child to alight at Kenol after refusing to squeeze so that they carry excess passengers @ntsa_kenya @NPSOfficial_KE via jorgeskanja— KenyanTraffic (@KenyanTraffic) March 9, 2019
In a video doing rounds on social media, the conductor of the matatu is seen ordering the woman who was traveling with a child to alight after she complained that the crew was picking more passengers while it was already full.
The conductor then uses abusive language on the woman while the stunned child watches.
Fellow passengers are heard pleading with the conductor to refund the woman’s Sh50 change but he declines and challenges her to report to the police.
Director-General Francis Meja ordered the officials of Meru Shuttle Limited to report to NTSA offices in Meru Monday morning.
NTSA Notice:Video on crew of KBU 254G (Meru Shuttle Limited) https://t.co/cdbHxNblR7 pic.twitter.com/mUNJOZMOp0— NTSA KENYA (@ntsa_kenya) March 10, 2019
“The Authority takes this opportunity to thank the lady passenger for taking that bold decision and we encourage all road users to speak out when their safety or that of others is threatened. We also applaud the passenger who recorded the incident and shared the video. The action will go a long way in keeping our roads safe,” he said in a statement.
The undated incident caused uproar with members of public calling for the arrest of the matatu crew and disciplining of the sacco officials.
Mt Kenya Matatu Owners’ Association Chairperson Wanja Karuku said they have initiated investigations into the incident and would suspend the crew for up to six months.
KBU 254G Meru shuttle… driver and conductor harassing a mother and her kid after she refused to give space for excess passenger. This is what the women of this country are facing daily @DPPS_KE @JBoinnet pic.twitter.com/8UsW9fmjLT— somo (@abdirizaksomoo1) March 9, 2019
Ms Karuku urged the woman to come forward and lodge a complaint against the driver and the conductor so that police can also take proper action.
“She should report to the police and obtain an OB number. We have strict rules that bar matatu crew from using abusive language or failing to get passengers to the set destination,” she said.
Ms Karuku also hailed the passenger who took the video since it had helped unearth the crime.