Impunity: Matatu operators endanger the lives of other road users

A matatu conductor holds a mattress from falling off as folded iron sheets protrude dangerously from one of the windows of a Public Service Vehicle headed to Mamboleo from Kisumu bus stop on January 07, 2018 along Kakamega Road. Besides overloading passengers, the matatu operators are carefree and do not mind if they endanger lives of other road users. (Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

According to the Traffic Act, heavy luggage can only be carried on the roof if guard rails are fitted or in a special compartment provided for luggage

But the crew of this matatu seems to be a law unto itself. A conductor is holding a mattress to prevent it from falling from the roof as a roll of iron sheets protrudes dangerously from one of the windows of this matatu that was headed towards Mamboleo from the Kisumu bus stop.

Besides overloading passengers, some matatu operators seem not to care that they endanger the lives of other road users.