City Hall to fine stinking taxi drivers Sh30,000

City taxi drivers who do not bathe regularly may have to start visiting the bathroom more frequently.

The county assembly, in a Bill yet to be debated, seeks to rein in taxi operators who do not observe proper hygiene.

The Nairobi City County Taxi Cabs Bill, 2015 aims to regulate the taxi-cab business and empower the county roads and transport executive officer to penalise offenders with Sh20,000 fine for first offenders and Sh30, 000 for second offenders, besides cancelling their permits or have them imprisoned for six to nine months.

The Bill sponsored by nominated MCA Jacquiline Nyangala provides that the taxi-cab operators must be clean in person and clothing and refrain from smoking or spitting while carrying passengers. The Bill also prohibits playing of vulgar music or music in high volumes.

“The driver shall ensure the passenger is treated courteously, music played is acceptable and does not exceed the prescribed limits” the Bill states. The passengers will have power to have the cab owners fined if their vehicles are leaking, have no proper floor carpet, have dysfunctional windows and doors, no internal lighting or have poor seat cushioning.

In the Bill, taxi-meters shall be installed to indicate no greater fares than those prescribed under the Bill. Operators will be allowed to run the business only after undergoing two or more inspections and the City Engineer certify their vehicles as fit for taxi business.