Economy

Matatus get two weeks to effect Michuki rules

koimett

Transport PS Esther Koimett and NTSA director-general Francis Meja when they appeared before Transport, Housing, and Public Works Committee over accidents October 26, 2018. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NMG

Matatu operators have two weeks to comply with the Michuki rules to curb road carnage that will also see passengers riding without seat belts fined Sh500 instantly.

Transport secretary James Macharia and his Interior counterpart Fred Matiang’i said Thursday in a joint statement public transport operators must fit their vehicles with speed gadgets and seat belts as well have a yellow continuous line by November 12.

The crew must display their photos, wear uniforms and PSV badges in line with 2003 traffic law the late Transport minister John Michuki introduced.

“Therefore, effective Monday, November 12, any PSV, drivers, Saccos or transport companies, passengers and other relevant parties that fail to comply with the provisions of the NTSA Act and the Traffic Act will be firmly dealt with in accordance with the law,” said the statement.

The enforcement of the rules aims to curb accidents and indiscipline in the public transport sector. More than 2,214 people lost their lives in road accidents in the nine months to September, according to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

Major crackdown

Interior ministry plans a major crackdown on rogue matatus that will keep them off the roads — permanently — and, with them, the criminal gangs that prey on the sector together with the crooked police officers and politicians linked to the gangs.

In mid-September, the High Court gave the NTSA the green light to introduce instant fines for minor traffic offences.

High Court John Mativo dismissed a suit by Kenya National Union of Co-operative Staff seeking to block the penalties that range from Sh500 to Sh10,000.

The instant fines were gazetted on September 23, 2016, but the court suspended them pending the hearing and determination of the case the union had filed.

More than 55 were killed on October 10 when a bus travelling on Londiani — Muhoroni route crashed.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet yesterday told MPs that the police did not inspect the bus throughout the journey that started in Nairobi.