TLB puts bus companies on notice

By Antony Gitonga

The Transport Licensing Board (TLB) has issued a two-week ultimatum to bus companies to register as Saccos.

Issuing the directive, TLB chairman Mr Hassan ole Kamwaro warned that failure to comply would lead to loss of licenses.

"Several companies have registered and this is a warning to those who have not, that we shall move in when the period expires," said Kamwaro.

On matatus, Kamwaro said that they had already registered 700 Saccos while close to 300 others had either been rejected or deferred.

He called on those whose application had been rejected to join the registered ones or close business.

"We are committed to restoring sanity on our roads and anybody who will not comply with the rules will face the full wrath of the law," he asserted.

Kamwaro however noted that an increase in fake documents in transport sector was slowing them in restoring sanity.

"There are many fake documents like road and TLB licences and we have asked the CID for assistance," he added.

He was speaking to journalists in Naivasha during a meeting to address infighting in a matatu Sacco in the area.

Deputy Traffic Commandant Samuel Kimaru said 3,041 Kenyans have died through road accidents.

Safety campaigns

Of the number, Kimaru said 1,443 were pedestrians who were knocked down by speeding vehicles, majority of them reported in Nairobi.

The police boss ruled out crackdowns during the festive season, saying they would embark on safety campaigns and enforcement of traffic rules.

"Any defective vehicle will be impounded until next year to reduce accidents on our roads during the holiday season and we would like to urge travellers to avoid night journeys," he said.

Kimaru also warned drivers operating outside their routes that their vehicles would be kept off the road.