TLB directs matatu owners to get new licences

By James Anyanzwa

Owners of public service vehicles (PSV) should apply for short-term licences and renew their operating licences. This follows the appointment of eight licensing officers by the Transport Licensing Board (TLB).

In a gazette Notice No 7320, of July 1, TLB chairman, Hassan ole Kamwaro, also appointed Martini Eshiwani and Priscilla Mutundu as chief executive and deputy chief executive of the board.

This comes after the TLB sacked over 20 officers for colluding with matatu operators to perpetrate corruption. The remaining officers were reshuffled.

Kamwaro said the new officers, who had been taken through an induction course on transparency and service delivery, would operate from Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Meru.

Plans are also under way to hire more officers for Eldoret, Kakamega, Thika, Nyeri and Machakos

"I want to appeal to the public service operators to obtain short term licences and renew their licenses. But new licences will only be given by the board," Kamwaro told The Standard on Tuesday.

Kamwaro, however, warned that allocation of new routes and issuance of new licences would remain the prerogative of the TLB board, which meets once in a month.

Speed governors

He said short-term licences would last for three months and are not renewable. He added that all vehicles must be compliant with road safety rules to be licenced. Moreover, the TLB board would ensure PSVs have speed governors.

He said PSV operators would also be required to produce copies and originals of log books to prove ownership of their vehicles, motor vehicle inspection reports, and their savings and credit co-operative societies and/or companies.