Task force wants police barred from owning matatus
Prime Minister Raila Odinga receives a report from Internal Security Permanent Secretary, Mr Francis Kimemia (left), who chaired the task force. HEZRON NJOROGE
Police officers who have invested in the public service vehicle (PSV) sector are to withdraw from the business if new recommendations to streamline it are implemented.
It will also be illegal for them to remove documents from vehicles as well as impound matatus for minor traffic offences, the task force appointed to look into the challenges encountered by the sector has said.
The government and the matatu sector have been looking at the challenges facing operators following a two day strike that left passengers in the country stranded. A task force was convened by the prime minister to look for solutions.
The task force, convened last week following a two day strike, has made recommendations expected to change the day to day operations of the sector and the relationship it has with law enforcers.
Dr Charles Otieno, an analyst with Polity and Policy think tank says that a lot of thinking has to be put in the whole public transport sector with a strategy geared towards serious reforms being put in place.
He also noted that issues of conflict of interest go beyond police owning matatus and should also apply to other top government officials like ministers.
“We need to reduce conflict between the sector and police,” said Mr Raila Odinga, the prime minister in his office when he received the report.
The call to lock out police officers from the business is not new and was recommended by retired Judge Philip Ransley in a report on police reforms last year.
The task force came up with over 30 resolutions both by the government and the sector, that are expected to come into effect immediately.
Most of the resolutions expected from the Matatu sector are based on the Michuki rules as well as the recently tabled Mwakwere rules that call for the removal of tinted materials or curtains on matatu windows.
Dickson Mbugua, the chairman of Matatu Welfare Association (MWA), said the sector was willing to comply with the resolutions as part of the task force.
He had called for a three day strike last week citing police harassment and extortion. An intervention by the prime minister saw the strike called off after two days and the task force established.
The PM said that there would be a review after three months to see how effective implementation has been.
The task force was chaired by the internal security PS Fancis Kimemia and had members from the government, the police and sector players.
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