Meru matatu drivers heed traffic call

By KATHURE MUKURU

Days after a team from the traffic headquarters had a meeting with Meru transport stakeholders, pressure can already be seen in the busy town.

The Traffic Commandant issued a warning to notorious miraa drivers speeding and dangerous overtaking on the roads and asked the police to arrest whoever is found flouting traffic laws.

Toyota Probox and other small vehicles that operate as Public Service Vehicles were ordered to meet all the requirements, including the yellow line that will show they are taxis.

However, some operators are complaining that the law is being applied indiscrimately.

“I know of several vehicles that belong to police officers which were parked as officers arrested the rest,” said one Probox driver at the Meru–Makutano route.

Local Authority Service Delivery Action Plan chair Mr Rajab Osman Marete said pedestrians were nearly ran over during a traffic operation.

“The operators were doing the normal picking and dropping of passengers when suddenly police appeared from nowhere. A lady was almost know down in the commotion.

However, pedestrians Peter Kiogora and Kenneth Mutuma commended police for their work saying drivers must follow the law. “Why do they run away when they see the police if they know they are not on the wrong?” asked Kiogora.