If the former Minister for Transport, the late John Michuki
was alive today, he would be a very disappointed man to witness the rot that
has become the matatu industry which he streamlined to the extent of leaving a
legacy.
When the National Transport and Safety Authority deregisters
an entire matatu sacco and advises the affected operators to re-register with
other saccos, what comes to mind is a case of same monkeys changing forests.
The Authority needs to conduct a complete overhaul of the
matatu industry as what we saw recently was just a tip of the iceberg.
Just to catch a glimpse of the rot in the industry, visit
the Ronald Ngala/Mfangano Street junction where passengers board and get off
Umoinner matatus. If the said matatus are not driven at break neck speed, they
are busy rumbling and hooting as if there is some sort of a competition.
Stakeholders need to bring change in this industry and also
blacklist errant operators.
Short of this, we will continue losing innocent lives and
others will be left with bitter reminders of what transpired in the hands of
reckless matatu operators.