#Matatucrackdown: Police Stations filled up with offenders

When it rains, it pours. That’s a saying that can be used to describe the current state of affair in the public transport sector.

At one time when traveling from CBD to my humble abode in Embakasi, I gave a bus conductor sh 200 to deduct his fare. I was supposed to receive my change 0f sh 120 shillings. This was the only money I had.

So I was surprised when, another man came asking for fare. I told him I had already paid, but he told me he was the bus conductor and hadn’t collected any money.

A very heated argument emerged from that confrontation. At the end he had to back off, but I didn’t get my change back meaning I slept on an empty stomach.

That, in a nutshell is what commuters have to endure in this Matatus. Reckless driving, unprofessional touts, who even end up assaulting their passengers.

But all these is about to end if the government does not relent in its efforts to re-introduce the famous Michuki rules. One of the rules is that a conductor should have a uniform, meaning I wouldn’t have been conned of my only sh 200.

According to Ispector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, already 2000 people are in custody for contravening the rules.

This comes on the backdrop of a standoff between the police and majority of matatu operators who have vowed to stay off the roads in protest of the crackdown on traffic violation.

Addressing the press on Monday in Nairobi, the IG said the arrested individuals consist of both matatu operators and their passengers as well as private vehicle users.

“The figures that I’m receiving now is that close to 2,000 offenders have been arrested… these include matatu operators, operators of private vehicles and even users of PSVs (Public Service Vehicles),” said IG Boinnet. The police boss further urged commuters to only board vehicles that comply with the traffic regulations such as availability of safety belts and uniformed staff failure to which, they will be slapped with fines.

Boinnet also asked PSV drivers and motorcycle riders to comply with the regulations insisting no cars will be allowed back on the roads if they have not complied with the rules.

“Those who want to tempt us by bringing to the highways vehicles that have not been tested and have no authority to come to the road… it will be very difficult for them,” says IG.

“Do not bring your vehicle to the road if it has not complied with the set rules and regulations… if you do, do not say you were not warned. Just try us.”

Boinnet maintained that the crackdown on rogue matatus would continue, stating that, “We must go back to order and not the kind of disorder we have been witnessing on our highways. That will stop!”

Will the Michuki rules streamline the transport sector?

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