NTSA cracks whip on Probox operators

The National Transport and Safety Authority, (NTSA) has embarked on a countrywide crackdown on proboxes and other small vehicles engaging in illegal public transport business.

NTSA's Safety Director Mathew Munyao said Matatu saccos in the 47 counties are expected to assist in identifying the intruders by listing down their registration numbers and the routes their operate.

"Once the list is compiled, the respective Saccos in conjunction with county governments will hand over the data to the respective Traffic Base Commanders, who will then enforce the law by getting the vehicles off the road," Munyao said.

Saccos in Mt. Kenya region have welcomed the move and promised to co-operate to the letter.

Neno Sacco in Embu said the directive by the transport authority would rid off the proboxes from roads.

Its chairman Joseph Nyaga said he has already started to compile the list of such vehicles, adding they have affected business for matatus due to undue competition.

"We have all along been complaining since these illegal entrants are not public service vehicles compliant like us," said Nyaga.

His Kirinyaga counterpart Alex Munyi said the probox menace has created insanity in all roads besides becoming the number one killers.

"Proboxes pick, drop and operate from anywhere in total disregard of other road users besides flouting all the PSV rules; raging from overloading to over speeding," Munyi said.

Sunday, Munyao said he has written to all county governments, asking them to co-operate in the exercise meant to clean up the probox menace from the roads.