Matatu owners reject return of NTSA officers on roads

Matatu Owners Association CEO Patricia Mutheu addresses a press conference on the recent government crackdown targeting the sector at Nairobi Offices on Wednesday, March, 20, 2024. [Samson Wire Standard]

Matatu Owners Association (MOA) has opposed the move by the government to return National Transport and Safety Authority officers (NTSA) on roads.

They argued that the directive by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was issued without consulting the Industry players.

“We strongly believe that collaboration and dialogue between industry players and the government are critical in tackling issues related to road safety," said MOA Chief Executive Officer Patricia Mutheu.

MOA President Albert Karakacha faulted the return of NTSA officers on the roads saying it will only encourage corruption.

He said the authority is supposed to be a regulator in the sector and not engage in enforcement of traffic rules on the roads.

“We urge the ministry to make sure that NTSA are regulating, they are supposed to be making policies for the transport sector and they are supposed to make sure that they regulate them,” Karakacha said. 

Murkomen, on Tuesday directed NTSA in collaboration with the National Police Service to promptly start enforcing road safety regulations.

Meanwhile, Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu) has called for strict adherence to traffic rules to avert road accidents in the country.

Cotu Secretary General, Francis Atwoli attributed rising cases of road accidents to negligence and flouting traffic rules by motorists.

"As Kenyans, we have no way left to save our people from dying on the road apart from applying strict measures on our roads," said Atwoli in a statement.

He questioned the corruption happening on Kenyan roads leading to lawlessness.

"How do you expect a driver who can bribe his or her way out to adhere to laws or traffic rules? How do you expect a police officer clad in his or her uniform to control traffic rules if he can access a bribe?" Atwoli posed.

He urged the president to intervene and save the situation saying all the institutions supposed to enforce law and order in the country have relaxed.