Matatu Owners Association seek role in law change

The Matatu Owners Association (Moa) has joined the leaders calling on the Government to involve all relevant stakeholders in the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill 2014, saying it contains some punitive clauses which are unconstitutional.

Moa National Co-ordinator Albert Karagasha said it was wrong for the Government not to involve all stakeholders when coming up with amendments to security laws, which are bound to affect them.

Speaking in Ruiru town during the launch of the Ruiru sub-County Moa Secretariat over the weekend, he said amendments were long overdue adding that there is need for consultation among stakeholders to come up with an agreeable document.

The security bill, which has faced stiff opposition from the Opposition and Civil Society proposes a 20-year jail term for those who strip women in public, among others.

Some matatu operators have been accused of this offence.

Public apprehension

He said Moa is coming up with a code of conduct for all the players in the industry, which will give guidance on how drivers and conductors should handle passengers.

"We are going to organise for training of all drivers and conductors to train them on customer handling etiquette and on basic human rights," said Karagasha.

Cases of assault and stripping of women have been on the increase causing great public apprehension.

Nicholas Mwangi and Meshack Mwangi, the two men accused of stripping and assaulting a woman, denied the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Lucy Mbugua and were remanded at Industrial Area police station pending the hearing of their case.

Kiambu County Moa Chairman Joseph Mwangi said some of the people who have been stripping women were idlers and rogue passengers who were giving the industry a bad name.

"Those people stripping women are malicious with the aim of tarnishing the name of the industry," said Mr Mwangi.

He called on drivers to be extra careful during this festive season in order to reduce road carnage.