By CYRUS OMBATI
More than 400 drivers have been arrested in a police operation targeting buses that have ignored a ban on night travel.
Police said 66 were arrested on Saturday night, 98 on Friday and 84 on Thursday. Traffic commandant Samuel Kimaru said they were all bonded and are expected in court today.
Kimaru said no driver has so far been issued with a licence to travel at night and reiterated the ban is still in force. He added they plan to involve all police officers in the operation in a bid to curb road carnage.
“We have not had a single accident since the ban came into effect and we intend to continue with the operation. No driver has been allowed to travel at night with passengers,” he said.
The directive was issued last Wednesday by Transport Principal Secretary Nduva Muli in line with new regulations gazetted on December 17, that require PSV operators who wish to operate at night to apply for a special licence. This followed an accident that claimed 18 people when two buses collided head-on along Mombasa-Nairobi highway.
The ban has forced most passengers to spend nights at police stations, at the roadside and trading centres in fear of being arrested.
Cancel journey
Kimaru said most police stations are now hosting passengers at night after the ban took effect.
“Some travellers have been staying on the road until morning. They light fires to warm themselves and go on through the night,” he said.
Many passengers, who thronged various bus termini hoping to catch buses at night, were forced to cancel their journeys after spending hours.
Police boss David Kimaiyo said road carnage has reduced significantly since the ban.
“Having seen the positive results after imposing the ban on buses that travel at night, the next move is now to ensure alcoblow kits are supplied in all parts of the country,” he said.
Matatu Welfare Association chairman Dickson Mbugua has condemned the ban and declared it was unfair and infringement on the rights of commuters and matatu operators.
Mbugua said matatu operators had suffered losses in excess of Sh10 million since the ban on night travel started on Christmas Eve. Also affected were businesses that relied on passengers who travel at night.
