National Transport and Safety Authority revokes licence for bus ferrying intoxicated students

The bus which was intercepted at Ndia in Kirinyaga County ferrying intoxicated students

National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has revoked the operating licence of the bus in which students were found drinking and engaging in sex on Wednesday.

NTSA Director General Francis Meja said they had summoned its owners to explain how the bus ended up in Karatina.

The bus, christened ‘Cash Money Millionaire’ caused a national uproar after allegedly ferrying 35 high school students from Nairobi to Karatina, disregarding its normal Kayole to city centre route.

“According to public service vehicles (PSV) Regulations 2014, graffiti that is offensive, that affects visibility such as blocking windows and that does not promote cohesion and good behaviour is outlawed,” said Mr Meja.

Meja, who spoke to the press at a hotel in Narok yesterday and accused PSV saccos of failing to provide quality service to passengers, and instead focusing on collecting money for the vehicle owners.

He said: “PSV operator saccos and companies should have field officers who inspect PSV vehicles, graffiti and the conduct of the operators to ensure they follow the law.”

The behaviour exhibited by the PSV, Meja said, should be investigated as it could be a trend that has been going on every school-closing season. The bus at the centre of controversy is said to have suggestive graffiti such as, ‘why go to high school when you can go to school high’ written at its rear side.

The bus impounded at Kiangwachi Police Station is said to have charged the students who are said to have been intoxicated Sh600 each and not the required Sh300.

The safety authority has warned PSV’s against breaking the law by having their vehicles display offensive graffiti and messages that promote moral decay.